Morse Code
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Morse snapped while on duty

One of the commonest connections that the outsider makes with Oxford is with Chief Inspector Morse, the ale-loving detective of Colin Dexter's books and of TV fame. Indeed, Mart is a huge follower of the great man, and, had Morse not been fictional, or, more importantly, dead, Mart would have thanked him for introducing Mart to the Turf Tavern. It was because of Morse's ventures to this historic pub that Mart was able to reproduce the journey, and has been eternally grateful.

A very detailed description of the location of the Turf is given in the book "The Daughters of Cain", and Morse visits the pub to converse with a previous landlord. It is also mentioned in "Death Is Now My Neighbour". The pub features in the TV versions of "The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn", "Service of all the Dead", and "Setting of the Sun".

"So it's the alleyway under the Bridge of Sighs...?"

Resident Artist

The Turf's resident artist, and up until recently was the longest serving barman (2000 - 2005), is Mr William Andris Wood, connoisseur of ale and absinthe, and hot soapy water maestro. He can still be found in the Turf, now on the correct side of the bar, emptying pint glasses rather than filling them.

Andy in full Byronic costume.

Andy's portrait of Dr Martin.

Barmaids (and the Manager!)

"The Average Turf Barmaid"
Darren's employment target,
shown in regulation issue winter uniform
(Summer uniform currently censored)

"The Guv'nor"
Darren himself: "Welcome to the Turf!
We're lovely friendly Greene King people!"

Al and Nell, our Special Lady ®.

Al and Mart at the Turf

The beams, old and new. The decrease in names reflect the splintering of the Turf group off to other areas of the country. The original beam no longer exists as it was pulled down in one redecoration. The most recent Greene King evil redecoration erased the most recent beam writing, but it has now been returned ("Dr Martin - Subject to Availability. Also try the Alehouse"). In between, the writing was transferred to a beam in the White Horse, Broad Street, for safe-keeping. The "beam" also exists in UV pen in the Far From The Madding Crowd, thanks to Marko Washington.