Oxford. People have been drinking at The Bear since 1242 although the current building was founded in 1774 and was known as The Jolly Trooper (it was converted from an early 17th century of the coaching inn's stableman). The land used to be the graveyard for St. Edward's Church, and in 2018 human bones were found in the pub's cellar. In 1952 the then landlord Alan Course started a collection of tie ends - a selection of over 4,500 ties are on display in the pub. as you would expect there is a small bar, low beamed ceilings, worn wooden floors, and tiny rooms. There is a spacious beer garden in the back. My beer of choice - HSB Premium Bitter from George Vale Brewery in nearby Aylesbury.