The Carlton Arms

Head up Carlton Way and you'll find yourself in the kind of pub that actually feels like it belongs to the community rather than existing for Instagram. The Carlton Arms is what happens when a local boozer gets it right—unpretentious, genuinely welcoming, and the sort of place where regulars genuinely outnumber tourists. The food's reliable rather than revolutionary, but that's rather the point: you're here for a pint and some proper pub grub, not to be dazzled. It's the kind of spot where you can nurse a drink for hours without feeling guilty, or grab something quick before heading home to Arbury.