Wykeham Arms

Summary

“Part of the Fuller’s group but a cut above the city’s other pubs”, this famous boozer with rooms (betwixt Cathedral and college) is a “wonderfully atmospheric” spot that’s “the spiritual heir to Orwell’s ‘Moon Under Water’, or ideal public house”. For non-literary types that means “a varied clientele, with some eccentrics”, “a series of cosy and pleasantly cluttered rooms… convivial rather than noisy; no music or TV; and staff who are amiable and helpful”. The food, helmed by 2022 Roux Scholarship semi-finalist Luke Emmess, was consistently well-rated this year.