A Broad Face

A few doors down from the Fat Face shop you will find the Broad Face public house at the junction of Bridge Street and Thame Street.

The current building was erected in 1840 but there are records of a public house called the Broad Face as far back as 1734 (see Inns and Alehouses of Abingdon 1550 - 1978 by J.B Carter and J.G.M Smith ISBN 0-9507680-1-4).

There is also some evidence that before becoming the Broad Face it was called the Saracens Head. One suggestions is that the Saracen got badly repainted and got nicknamed Broad Face. Other less likely origins for the name could be the face of hanged man taken from the Old Gaol opposite, or a drowned man from the river down below.

In any case the pub sign no longer shows the badly painted Broad Faced man. Rather, it has gone up market, and boasts its success in national catering competitons. It also boasts Fair trade produce: coffees and teas, and good beers.

But as you approach it from the bridge, you can see that the building does present a broad face to all oncomers.