The Waterman's Arms is a place of refuge when the weather is poor and the river is high. It was built in the 1850s to quench the thirst of the railway workers, but it gained its name from the bargees who soon made it their home.

Many barges were towed by horse, and at the back of the pub were stables with warm hay and shelter from the winter storms.

The pub was extended in the 1890s to cope with the increasing number of customers, many of whom were bargees bringing coal to the new Oxford Electric Light Station which was built across the river.

Osney bridge lies just to the north of the Waterman's Arms, and has less headroom than any of the bridges downstream to London. Under normal conditions this is 7ft.6ins, less than 2.5 metres.

After heavy rainfall the headroom is further reduced and the antics of boaters trying to navigate this stretch of water have entertained pub regulars for many a year.

The Waterman's Arms
7 South Street, Osney Island, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX2 0BE
tel: 01865 248832