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Picture source: Isisbridge
The Marlborough House was situated at 60 Marlborough Road. This pub was built in 1888 by John Taylor, landlord of The Dolphin & Anchor on St Aldates and closed in 2008. It is currently being converted into an annexe for the boutique hotel opposite.
Source: Ben Garratt
My parents Eric and Betty Chinn first stepped into the licensed trade in May 1973 when they moved from Dudley in the West Midlands to take over the tenancy of the Marlborough House. I have many memories of visiting them during their time at this very large premises and remember the amount of university student customers and the local “Buffs” which had a meeting room upstairs which was always like a “secret service to ourselves”. Lunchtime always seemed very busy with the students wanting food. I also remember my parents giving me a surprise birthday party for my 21st in the upstairs function room which the “Buffs” used, bringing all our family together from all parts of the country. Eric and Betty spent a few years here as did my younger sister Ann before moving in late 1976 to the Rising Sun Public House in Ickford, near to Thame, Buckinghamshire (about 10 miles from Oxford). They continued to run the Rising Sun together until April 1985 when my father suddenly passed away and my mother then carried on for a further 12 months before she decided to give the licensed trade up and retire and spent her final years living in the village of Ickford. Linda Price (March 2017)
Now converted to use as a wine bar and pizzeria called Cafe Ethos.
T C (January 2022)
Review from tantallon.org.uk:
Pontus Lurcock writes: Now has Adnams Bitter, Adnams Broadside, Deuchars IPA, and Greene King IPA. The jukebox runs on CDs, and its contents looked eerily like those of the jukebox in the Victoria, circa 1997, which is no bad thing. The upstairs has weekly music (I forget the day). The downstairs has darts. There is a largeish TV on one wall, but the sound always seems to be off and it's not too obtrusive. All in all, a very comfortable place. Can be a little too quiet, but that's a good excuse to exercise the jukebox. (2005-03) Editorial note: * ABC Bitter Ł1.76 * Carlsberg Ł2.15 * Löwenbrau Ł2.40 * Kilkenny Ł2.40 (30.v.1999) I expect all pubs looked like this fifteen years ago. The main bit is pretty small and comes in two wee rooms, though there's a pool room upstairs and a table football room out the back. The main bit's decorated with film posters and mini cricket bats, and the whole thing I think used to be Halls by the look of the baraphernalia and Ind Coope before that. The jukebox is really old and still runs on vinyl. What's more, it's a "press button B" jukebox where there's A and B buttons for the actual physical sides of the discs. The period feel of the place is enhanced by advertising for Skol behind the bar and a transparent telephone. The most recent bit of music heard played on the jukebox was by the Stone Roses off their self-titled album. The ABC bitter was pretty good though, much cheaper than in the Rose and Crown (sadly not at 1985 prices though), and the half-pint glasses are extra tall to give you a fuller head. (30.v.1999)
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Other Photos
Date of photo: 1973	Picture source: Linda Price
Date of photo: 1976	Picture source: Linda Price
Eric Chinn, publican, 1973-1976	Picture source: Linda Price