Cask- and Brewery-conditioned Real Ale Outlets in Thame

As an historic market town, Thame is fortunate today to retain nine recognizable public houses which continue to have a real ale offering, five of which are also notable and differing food venues, conveniently located along the reach of the High Street along with two more that are wet-led. The remaining two are a 10 minute walk to the east.

Six Bells

The Six Bells is the most westerly of the pubs, the striking exterior leads to an equally attractive interior. Comfortable seating in several separate areas makes this a pub to meet with friends. At the quieter end of the High Street the six bells of the pub sign are clearly seen. The beers are all from Fuller's, London Pride of course, and often an old Hampshire favourite, Gales HSB

Thatch

Next down the High Street is the Thatch, which though considered locally for its excellent food offering, always has two well-kept and presented real ales, normally XT3 as well as another. A Peach Pub, one of the two in town, their own website describes it as

‘a classic English pub, serving top-quality food, fine ales and carefully-chosen wine. Our Sixteenth Century building is full of character and usually filled with characters too. A social hub in this sociable town, we offer true hospitality to friends and strangers alike‘.

Rising Sun

Just a few yards further down the High Street, on the corner of a busy junction, and known locally as the Riser, is the Rising Sun. It is another popular foodie pub, specializing in Thai food, though the restaurant area is largely at the rear, and the front bar primarily a drinkers’ bar. The real ale offering is from Carlsberg Marstons, the regular beers being Brakspear Gravity (a renaming of the well-respected Brakspear Bitter), and Wychwood Hobgoblin Ruby (again a renaming for a beer whose strength has reduced from its original 6.4% abv to 4.5% abv). Websites still claim that both are brewed in Oxfordshire, despite the Witney brewery being closed and production moved away in November 2023.

James Figg

Once the Abingdon Arms, this Peach Pub, the James Figg (Jimmy Figgs, or the Figgs locally), named for Thame’s undefeated C18th boxing champion is a popular destination, acknowledged for its burgers, has been listed in previous Good Beer Guides, and has four well-kept cask ales available. Currently the regulars are Sharp’s Doom Bar, Fullers London Pride and Purity Mad Goose; an XT or Animal is usually the fourth choice. Since 2021 the Stable Bar, and the outside, covered area have both been extensively used, as well as the two bars in the main building.

Birdcage

Almost opposite the Figgs, the Birdcage (or Birdie)) is the oldest pub in Thame, with a limited and changing real ale offering, often Rebellion. It is currently undergoing a change of management which may signal a change in opening hours. According to CAMRA’s WhatPub,

‘Built around 1300 it has fortunately retained its structural character and many of the elm beams, once covered in ancient plaster, have been exposed creating the historical atmosphere inside and out. During the Napoleonic wars, the Birdcage housed French prisoners who incidentally founded the local Masons. In fact, for many years it was used as a holding house for petty thieves and criminals, even lepers on the upper floors!’.

Black Horse Hotel

Further down, on the corner of Rook’s Lane, the Black Horse has become one of Thame’s go-to eating houses, initially as a Brasserie Blanc from December 2017and currently Heartwood Inns. The front bar area offers a choice of four real ales, Sharp's Doom Bar, St Austell Tribute, Timothy Taylor Landlord, and usually XT4. For those dining, a regular menu item has been the Beef and Ale pie, with a complimentary taster glass of Tribute.

Nags Head

A few yards further on, the Nag's Head must surely qualify as a sports bar, with multiple screens around the pub displaying popular matches and events. Greene King’s only pub in Thame (if you must, the next nearest is the Old Fisherman in Shabbington—a very different offering), the Nag’s regular beer is of course Greene King IPA, though Greene King’s version of Morrell’s Old Speckled Hen is often available.

Cross Keys

On the corner of East Street and Chinnor Road, at the east end of the High Street, the Cross Keys (Thame’s jewel in the crown), still the home of Thame Brewery, though today the beers are largely brewed by XT in Long Crendon; it has been a regular Good Beer Guide entry for many years, and is the 2024 Aylesbury & Wycombe CAMRA Branch Pub of the Year. CAMRA’s WhatPub gives a very accurate description:

‘This fantastic pub serves plentiful ales to a discerning drinker. Usually busy, the bar will see at least two beers change every day over the weekend, and more during the week. Beers are sourced mainly from small and microbreweries nationwide. Keep a close eye on social media for unusual beers, but be warned, they will go quickly!’

The regular beers include XT4, Animal Hop Kitty and Thame Brewery Hoppiness. With time to spare, a mini beer festival can easily be experienced on your visit.

Falcon

And finally, a 10 minute walk down Chinnor Road will bring you to Hook Norton’s the Falcon. Currently listed in the 2025 Good Beer Guide, Licensees Paula and Christine are believed to be Hook Norton’s longest established licensees. Very much a locals’ local it is always welcoming, with many diverse characters in regular attendance, changing as the sessions go on. Hooky Bitter is now the regular beer, along with Off the Hook. A seasonal Hooky beer is often available (Flagship, Gold, Haymaker, Red Rye, Twelve Days as examples). To ensure freshness their cask ales are delivered in pins rather than firkins. The pub does not open on Mondays, but from 4pm Tuesday through Friday, Noon Saturday and Sunday.

Not Only But Also

Thame’s welcoming public houses are not the only outlets for real ale, the town is fortunate in having several clubs which also serve real ales.

Recently promoted Chinnor Rugby Club (yes, they are in Thame, Kingsey Road, not Chinnor) have a Player’s Bar and a Member’s Bar in the main building, which has real ale, but, with the construction of the new stand following their promotion, it understood that an XT bar will feature below that stand.

Another popular and spacious venue is the Snooker Club on Wellington Street, whilst a club it welcomes the public and regularly has XT4 available.

Two additional known clubs are Raquets, in the Cattle Market Car Park, and Thame United FC on Meadow View Park but little current information is available.

As mentioned, Thame Brewery’s beers are mainly now brewed at the nearby XT Brewery in Long Crendon (Notley Farm, off the Long Crendon-Chearsley Road. The Brewery Shop (and Tap) is open Wednesday to Saturday, their website gives details.

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Thame Pubs