A riverside pub on the edge of the city has set up a cinema in its garden to screen classic movies.

The Victoria Arms in Old Marston showed Mamma Mia and Back to the Future last month, and on Friday it is screening Bond movie Casino Royale and on Saturday it is showing the 1970s musical Grease.

Films are being shown in the garden on a big screen and cinema goers are being asked to sign up to attend, even though the screenings are free.

Both films begin at 7.30pm. 

READ MORE: Sausage dog is rescued from badger hole 

A member of staff said: "So far the films have been popular - of course we hope that the weather stays fine.

"When it's the summer time all our customers like to eat and drink outside - it's very different to the winter."

(Image: Victoria Arms) The Victoria Arms in Old Marston has won Oxfordshire's Best Pub in the National Pub and Bar Awards.

Judges said the team "demonstrated excellence in design, service, food and drink and style of offer".

Oxford Preservation Trust bought The Victoria Arms and adjoining land in 1959 to save the nearly derelict building and protect the area from development.

Fully renovated, the pub reopened in summer 1986 and has become a firm favourite on the Oxford pub scene.

The  former ferryman's cottage on the banks of the River Cherwell dates back to the 17th century and once hosted Oliver Cromwell, who was Lord Protector after Charles I was defeated in the English Civil War.

There is a plaque on the wall in the dining area commemorating the visit.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) There is a terrace and large beer gardens next to the river which are popular with tourists, sports clubs, students, canoeists and paddle boarders.

Kirsty Allsopp once filmed the TV property show Location, Location, Location on the terrace.

The Victoria Arms is one of the city's most popular riverside pubs.

Its website says: "Situated on the banks of the River Cherwell in Old Marston, The Victoria Arms is a stunning riverside pub and restaurant with mooring available for punts on the River Cherwell.

"Full of local history, the building dates back to the 17th century as the ferryman’s cottage, and once hosted a certain Oliver Cromwell."

(Image: Andy Ffrench) The website adds: "The Victoria offers traditional pub charm with beautiful interiors, a heated pergola terrace, and huge beer gardens overlooking the river.

"In the kitchen, our focus is hearty seasonal dishes and elevated pub classics, with local produce and ingredients at the heart of the menu.

"In the warmer months, it’s all about street food inspiration, served up from our garden kitchen kiosk to the busy terrace and garden.

"Behind the bar, we’re proud of our beer selection, with a great range of ale, lager and cider courtesy of our award-winning Butcombe Brewery, along with our cocktail menu.

"We’re child-friendly and dog-friendly, both indoors and outside, with plenty of space for small and large groups."

Help support trusted local news 

Sign up for a digital subscription now: oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe 

As a digital subscriber you will get:      

  • Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website   
  • Advert-light access         
  • Reader rewards            
  • Full access to our app 

About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.