Blackwell's, 48-51 Broad Street *** The White Horse on Broad Street, a pub nestled between two sections of Blackwell's Bookshop. Fans of "Inspector Morse" will recognize the White Horse as one of the Oxford detective's favorite haunts. The early Tudor building is cheerful on the outside, but visitors step down into a long, narrow and dimly lit pub where photographs of Oxford events line the walls. The pub grub is good and reasonably priced. The next stop is The Kings Arms, known locally as the "KA." An institution in its own right, the KA is owned by neighboring Wadham College and is located opposite architect Christopher Wren's Sheldonian Theater. This is the student pub in Oxford where visitors will find young men and women pondering great thoughts over a pint or two during the day; at night, it's standing room only. Anne says the atmosphere in the front rooms is somewhat lacking and suggests settling in one of the smaller rooms in the back. The generous portions of food are tasty, and there's a nice selection of ales. On warm spring and summer days, the bar crowd spills out into the street where one can sit at a picnic table and watch Oxford life pass by. Just down the road on Bath Place is The Turf. Anne says it's one of the most difficult places in Oxford to find through a maze of medieval streets, but well worth the effort. (Hint: Enter off Holywell Street, heading east, or down St. Helen's Passage, an alley off New College Lane under the Bridge of Sighs.) Built beneath the walls of New College and against the last remaining section of the old city wall, the pub's origins date from the 13th century. This low-beamed English pub is comprised of several rooms and is the only place in town that offers a decent beer garden. The Turf appears frequently in Oxford-related literature, such as Hardy's Jude the Obscure, but may be better known today for its role in the "Inspector Morse" television series. The pub offers well- priced, homemade food and daily vegetarian specials. Also on offer are country wines and cider. Those on a literary pilgrimage will enjoy the 17th-century Eagle and Child located amidst religious houses in St. Giles'. Also known as the "Bird and Babe," this pub was a haven for members of the Inklings, a writers' group whose most notable members included J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. The scribes met here weekly between the 1930s and 1960s. Comprised of several small rooms, the pub features a covered courtyard at the back. The final stop is at The Bear Tavern located off the High Street. Once a great coaching inn, the Bear is one of the oldest pubs in Oxford, dating from the 13th century. Today the pub is best known for its collection of more than 7,000 ties that are displayed in cabinets and on the paneled walls and rafters. Men should not wear their favorite ties, as the bar staff is wont to snip off the ends of those not currently featured in their collection. The man with the short tie, however, will receive a complimentary pint in exchange for adding to the pub's décor. With outside seating in an adjoining yard and excellent food, the Bear offers a great fifth excuse to tarry in Oxford for more than academic reasons. Toasts of the Town Note: The country code for England is 44. - The White Horse, 52 Broad Street, Tel: 1865-728318 - The Kings Arms, Holywell Street, Tel.: 1865-242369 Weekdays and Saturday, 11 am-11 pm; Sunday 12 pm-10:30 pm - The Turf, 4 Bath Place; Tel.: 1865-243235 Weekdays and Saturday, 11 am-11 pm; Sunday, pm-10:30 pm - The Eagle and Child, 49 St Giles'; Tel.: 1865-302925 Weekdays and Saturday, 11 am-11 pm; Sunday, 12 pm-10:30 pm< - The Bear Tavern, Alfred Street; Tel.: 1865-721783 Weekdays, 12 am-11 pm; Saturday, 11 am-11 pm; Sunday, 12 pm-10:30 pm The Cherwell Boathouse Bardwell Road, Oxford