You’d be unlikely to stumble upon The Fishes on a day trip to Oxford, but if you swim against the stream of tourists hustling from the station towards the city centre, you’ll reap the rewards. At the other end of a tranquil stroll through Hinksey Park, in the deep south-west of Oxford, you’ll find a charming gastropub with a huge garden and good food made with sustainably sourced ingredients.

The setting is a Victorian house surrounded by wooded grounds leading down to a stream. Tables spill out across the garden, and there are spots on the balcony for a raised viewpoint. It’s no tragedy when the weather starts to turn though, as you can expect cosy undercover tables with a roaring fire lit outside in the colder months.

Once you get inside, The Fishes shows off its quirky side. Fishes of all shapes and sizes line the walls and tall windows look out over the garden. Further into the back it’s more of a cosy winter’s night pub vibe, with plush banquette seating and pretty lamps casting a low, gentle light. Dogs are welcome here, so do bring the pooch along.

The adventurous new autumn menu features loads of local ingredients, and anything brought in from further afield has sustainability firmly in mind. The star of the starters is tempura courgette fries with truffle cheese dip, while for mains there are plenty of fish dishes (the clue’s in the name here!), including a catch of the day from the fish market. Despite the name, The Fishes is big on meat too, with a variety of grass-fed Aubrey Allen 28-day dry-aged steaks from the grill.

To keep things fresh, there are also some charming eccentricities on the menu, in keeping with the quirky flavour of this off-the-beaten-track gem. Want to try Marmite butter or Bloody Mary ketchup? Why not!