Review of The Rusty Bicycle

This review of The Rusty Bicycle originally appeared on Google Maps. See more reviews by Dan.

Visited today for the first time. Discovered when I came to order that special offers (e.g. £5 lunchtime pizzas) on the menu aren’t actually honoured when you come to order unless you agree to install their “app”. Their app is appalling: currently averaging 1.7/5 on the app store, and I can see why!

By the time I’d looked at the app’s privacy policy, I decided it was better to pay full price rather than use it: the app requests permissions to access virtually all of your phone’s data and the privacy policy states that your use of it grants them the right to track your GPS location from then on (seriously!). No thank you!

Cocktails were okay. Food was pretty good, but not quite good enough to take away the sour taste left by the “app” experience. I’d visit again… but only if they moved towards honouring the special offers they advertise… WITHOUT the precondition that you agree to give all of your personal data to them first.

Map of 51.7428743,-1.2341773

Review of Exeter Gardens

This review of Exeter Gardens originally appeared on Google Maps. See more reviews by Dan.

Moderately well-tended but short walk between Oxford Road and Exeter Park, squeezed between Exeter Hall and The Key doctors practice. Nice decking and benches, but otherwise nothing to recommend it except as a route to the park itself.

Map of 51.8214826,-1.2888289

Review of Exeter Park Play Area

This review of Exeter Park Play Area originally appeared on Google Maps. See more reviews by Dan.

Since the 2018 renovation of the play area and the surrounding park, this has gone from being a good to a great place to take small children. Play equipment includes a well-equipped sandpit, multiple climbing frames with monkey bars, firemans poles, and slides, “little ones” area with miniscule frames, musical instruments, see-saw, swings of various kinds including a large tyre swing, rope climbing frames, and a “racing” pair of ziplines. Exercise equipment is also available nearby, as are plenty of benches including picnic benches and a reasonable-sized (free) car park.

Map of 51.8209199,-1.2906408

Review of Exeter Recreational Ground

This review of Exeter Recreational Ground originally appeared on Google Maps. See more reviews by Dan.

Excellent, conveniently central play area for Kidlington. Renovated in 2018 with new play and exercise equipment including trampolines, not one but two ziplines, and a wonderfully imaginatively-imagined sandpit, it’s equipped to keep little ones entertained for hours. There’s also a large field for sports/dog-walking, a community space, and an adequate amount of (free) car parking.

Map of 51.8199911,-1.2901191

Review of Grovelands Superstore Handy Stores

This review of Grovelands Superstore Handy Stores originally appeared on Google Maps. See more reviews by Dan.

A surprisingly wide selection of goods available at just about any time you might need it, served by friendly staff. Plenty of parking if coming by car, conveniently just off the main road through Grovelands estate.

Map of 51.8194030,-1.2922020

Review of The Vine Inn

This review of The Vine Inn originally appeared on Google Maps. See more reviews by Dan.

Perfectly good pub food served by friendly staff. Prices a little higher than I’d expect for what you get, but not completely unreasonable. Play equipment in the kid-friendly garden was a hit with my little ones.

Map of 51.7335895,-1.3313445

Review of Malmaison Oxford

This review of Malmaison Oxford originally appeared on Google Maps. See more reviews by Dan.

Delightful, although expensive, hotel. Theming is spot-on: you can really see the architecture that once made this place a prison, while simultaneously chilling out in a level of luxury that would have been completely unknown to its original inhabitants. Excellent service and good amenities – you could lock me up here any day… if the prices didn’t send me to the gallows first!

Map of 51.7516992,-1.2625369

Review of The Glebe Play Park

This review of The Glebe Play Park originally appeared on Google Maps. See more reviews by Dan.

Excellent play area especially good for young children. Swings, slides, fort, mini hedge maze, musical instruments, exercise equipment, roundabout, trampoline, and climbing frame make this a well-equipped park, abs it’s kept in good condition. Convenient on-street parking and safe gates to prevent runaways and reassure parents! My little ones (4 and 2) love this compact but rich space.

Map of 51.7339664,-1.3305587