Bucks &amp; Oxon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-location">THE LOCATION</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-Peach-Pubs.jpg" alt="thatched pub black and white exterior " class="wp-image-166514" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-Peach-Pubs.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-Peach-Pubs-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-Peach-Pubs-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-Peach-Pubs-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thethatchthame.co.uk">The Thatch</a> and I go back a long way. In fact, from before it was even called The Thatch when it was The Old Trout about 15 years ago. The switched-on Peach Pub group now owns this friendly gastropub at the bottom of the high street of this elegant market town, part of a group that includes The Fishes at Hinksey and The Fleece in Witney.</p>



<p>The Thatch is actually a bit of a hybrid &#8211; there&#8217;s a proper locals’ drinking area (and it really does entice well-heeled boozers very successfully), a sort of gastro-pubby area housed in the old part of the building dating back nearly 500  years, and then a more modern bit that has more of a classic restaurant feel. Out the back of the pub there’s a neat terrace where you can eat or just knock back something cold and bubbly on a summer’s day.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-nook.jpeg" alt="pub interior with cushions and corner seating " class="wp-image-166917" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-nook.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-nook-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-nook-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-nook-400x300.jpeg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Relaxed and friendly. It has the feel of a well-loved local’s pub and there’s plenty to entice repeat business with Magnum Weekends (magnums cracked open for drinks by the glass &#8211; nice!) and lobster nights Thursdays to Saturdays throughout July and August. With its thatched roof and country-pub tickbox of settles, inglenook fireplaces, kooky corners and headless pheasant lamps, you’re in comfort territory. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-snug.jpeg" alt="pub interior The Thatch settle chairs firepace and chalk board sign " class="wp-image-166918" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-snug.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-snug-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-snug-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-snug-400x300.jpeg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>You may find the décor of the restaurant a bit incongruous with its busy wallpaper and tartan banquettes – it certainly feels more formal than the other areas of the pub &#8211; &nbsp;but actually I think there’s nothing wrong with a change of pace and mood and particularly in summer months with its floor to ceiling windows, it’s offers a sunny eating option.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-benches.jpeg" alt="blanquette seating, mirrors wine glasses, wooden table and open windows " class="wp-image-166919" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-benches.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-benches-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-benches-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-benches-400x300.jpeg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>



<p>&#8216;Bored of champers, bored of life&#8217; said Samuel Pepys (sort of), and I&#8217;m with him all the way. My mum and I started with a glass each of Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée (sensible pricing at £11 per glass) to get the evening off to a bubbly start, before food beckoned. The Thatch offers an eclectic menu, swinging from British fish n chips to steak tartare, via the Hoi Sin duck spring rolls and ham hock and cheese croquettes we had for starters (very good, thanks). You&#8217;ll find a good range of seafood, with lobster, crab, monkfish, trout, cod and seabass all on the menu the night I reviewed, along and several vegetarian options (note, vegans not so well served with one possible dish per course for dinner).</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="750" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-starter-750x1000.jpeg" alt="ham and cheese croquettes on white plate " class="wp-image-166921" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-starter-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-starter-600x800.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-starter-300x400.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-starter-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-starter.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">My deli starter of ham and cheese croquettes, £7.95</figcaption></figure>



<p>My main course was chosen from the specials board and I&#8217;d recommend you try it  &#8211; a generous crispy-skinned fillet of trout (£26) with parmentier potatoes, lemon beurre blanc sauce that was so generous it was almost bouillabaisse, with pickled fennel, the magic ingredient that sharpened the palate and elevated this dish into Muddy recommendation territory. It looked very pretty too &#8211; check this out! </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-trout.jpeg" alt="fish with creamy sauce on white plate " class="wp-image-166920" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-trout.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-trout-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-trout-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-trout-400x300.jpeg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Trout &#8211; the main event </figcaption></figure>



<p>Desserts ran the piggy gamut of cheesecakes and puddings, but I went for the panna cotta with raspberry compote  &#8211; twice as large as I needed but I guess they wanted to provide value at £8.50 a pop, while my mum showed more restraint with her &#8216;taster&#8217; dessert plus coffee for £7. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="750" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-specials--750x1000.jpeg" alt="chalk board on wooden floor in restaurant " class="wp-image-166922" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-specials--750x1000.jpeg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-specials--600x800.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-specials--300x400.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-specials--1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-specials-.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h2>



<p>The Thatch is a lovely day-time option as there&#8217;s enough in Thame to keep you busy for half a day, pootling around the mix of independent and chains &#8211; worth checking out on the indie front are <a href="https://www.rumseys.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rumsey&#8217;s</a> beautiful Parisian-style chocolaterie, <a href="https://www.whatscookingthame.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">What&#8217;s Cooking</a> for deli bits and the Scandi-stylish <a href="https://www.thewoodworkstrading.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Woodworks Trading</a> café, and the brilliant indie bookshop <a href="https://www.thebookhousethame.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Book House</a>. Also keep time free for the gallery/framing shop <a href="https://www.prettylikepictures.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pretty Like PIctures</a>, top skin and laser clinic <a href="https://www.eraclinics.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Era</a> and rug specialists <a href="https://www.tapis.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tapis</a>. Mint Velvet is the best of the chain stores here, and like most towns in the UK now, you can go literally down any street for a gazillion hairdressers and charity shops.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-t-he-muddy-verdict"><strong>T</strong>HE MUDDY VERDICT </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-lobster-sign.jpeg" alt="chalk board on wall in restaurant " class="wp-image-166924" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-lobster-sign.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-lobster-sign-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-lobster-sign-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/The-Thatch-Thame-lobster-sign-400x300.jpeg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Best for:</strong> Relaxed drinkers, family gatherers, girly lunches. The 500+ year old pub has oodles of character and looks handsome with its thatched roof and black and white rendered exterior.</p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> There’s not much in the way of buggy or tantrum room for toddlers. The rear car park is small but you’ll find plenty of parking on the road.</p>



<p><strong>£££:</strong> Reasonable gastropub prices. Starters £8-12ish, Mains £15-26 with £35 top end for a rib eye steak and £50 for a whole lobster, Desserts £7-10.</p>



<p><em>The Thatch, 29-30 Lower High Street, Thame, OX9 2AA. Tel: 01844 214340. <a href="http://www.thethatchthame.co.uk">thethatchthame.co.uk</a></em>.</p>


Review: The Thatch pub, Thame

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