General Information
The Isis Farmhouse - is a unique and special place. It is a Mid-Victorian bar and restaurant with high ceilings situated on a large island in the River Thames, about a mile south of Oxford's dreaming spires. Most of the island is a Site of Special Scientific Interest & the main stream of the Isis, as the river is known in Oxford, flows right by the garden. There is no road to the Isis; all visitors arrive on foot, by bicycle or by boat. You can park free & easily in the local pretty village of Iffley and walk for 4 minutes along the most picturesque part of the Thames passing the ducks, swans and through to the property with almost three acres of lawns, reed beds & willow, set in Oxford's green belt. There are views of distant spires in central Oxford, of the Norman tower of Iffley Church & of the famous Iffley lock. The trees are impressive in their shapes & sizes and variety, the wildlife is ever present - sparrowhawks and red kites overhead; foxes and muntjac (the 'barking deer') in and out of the reed beds; and moorhens ('river chickens'!), ducks, and the occasional heron. On the River, there are canoes, and rowing boats, and the occasional punt, a scene enjoyed by Lewis Carrolll who often travelled along this part of the river during the time of his famous work - Alice in Wonderland.
This listing is regarding the main bar area of The Isis Farmhouse, a large bar with a
strong sense of history.The feeling is of decaying decadence and faded opulance; if Miss Havisham had a local, this would be it. It's a square room with central Victorian bar, large period windows looking out onto the river or wilderness, with two sets of doors to enter or leave by, plus doors to the toilets and kitchen. A baby grand piano is in one corner, with two fireplaces and stack of chopped wood in other corners. There is some exposed brickwork and plaster, beautifully peeling paintwork, stags head, two chandeliers, & two old wooden boats suspended from the red, gloss ceiling.