South Oxfordshire Pubs Launch Free Shuttle with Free Drinks, Street Food & Live Music

Three beloved South Oxfordshire pubs; The Crown at Chilton, The George at Upton, and The Blueberry in Blewbury, have teamed up to launch The Magic Roundabout, a free minibus service connecting the villages for the very first time.

Designed to bring local communities together and eliminate the hassle of driving or taxis, the shuttle lets customers hop between three unique pubs for an evening of great food, drink, and atmosphere. With a bonus: a free drink for anyone who visits all three venues.

Key Details

• Launch Weekend: Friday 4th & Saturday 5th July
• Route: The Crown (Chilton) → The George (Upton) → The Blueberry (Blewbury)
• Sponsored by Theakston Brewery: Free Pint for Everyone Who Visits All Three

What’s the Catch? Just Spend £5 Per Pub!

Fancy a pub crawl (well, more pub carriage)? The service is completely free to ride, but riders are asked to spend at least £5 per person in each pub. In return, they’ll receive a stamp at the bar, and once all three stamps are collected, they can redeem a free drink, including a pint of Theakston’s brand-new Peculier IPA, debuting in the South of England this weekend.

Shuttle Times (First-Come, First-Served)

Friday 4 July (Evening Service):

• Runs from 6pm until 11.10pm, with regular stops at each pub every 40 minutes.
• Start: The Crown at Chilton.

Saturday 5 July (All-Day Service):

• First departure at 12 noon, final return loop at 10.30pm.
• Runs approximately every 2–3 hours.

Shuttle stops are located directly outside each pub, and seats are on a first-come, first-served basis. If buses are full, just relax with another drink until the next one arrives!

There is an estimated time table, but it’s subject to change and delays.

What to Expect at Each Pub

Once closed-down and at risk of redevelopment, the first two pubs were rescued and revived by two local families, each determined to bring proper pubs back to their communities. Fully remodelled and rethought for the modern era, they are reopening in 2024 and 2025 respectively with the shared motto: “pubs done properly.”

The George at Upton

• Breakfast & brunch (Fri/Sat mornings)
• Lunch & dinner service inside
• Outdoor bar: The Little George
• 8 hour smoked BBQ pulled pork baps & veggie options
• Live music: Painted Shut + Oscar (Saturday 7pm)

The Crown at Chilton

• Open from 12 noon (Fri/Sat) until midnight
• Street food served outside from 5pm (Fri) and 12 noon (Sat)

The Blueberry, Blewbury

Run by local entrepreneur Kevin Murphy, The Blueberry offers a mix of Thai gastro food, fresh pizzas, pub classics, and a wide range of drinks, all in a central village setting.

• Open Friday from 7.30am; Saturday from 12 noon
• Thai gastro and fresh pizzas
• Overnight rooms available via Booking.com

Free Drinks, Charity Giving & Local Fun

The launch is generously sponsored by Theakston Brewery, with the pubs selected to introduce their brand-new Peculier IPA for the very first time in the South.

A 175ml glass of house wine, and non-alcoholic drink options are also available in the offer (18+ for alcoholic drinks). Offer available while stocks last.

Visitors are also encouraged to donate to local causes:

• The Royal British Legion
• Oxfordshire Animal Rescue

Donation boxes will be visible at each bar throughout the weekend.

A New Way to Pub

Prefer a stroll through the countryside? Guests are welcome to walk between pubs at any time to enjoy the scenery, or get those steps in before dessert.

Whether you’re craving pizza, pad Thai, smoked pork, or a proper pint, The Magic Roundabout shuttle brings variety, fun, and community spirit together for a weekend worth toasting.

Follow for live updates and timetables:

• @thegeorgeatupton
• @thecrownatchilton
• @the_blueberry_pub_blewbury

Magic Roundabout Shuttle Schedule

The provisional time table is below, but may be subject to change based on demand/delay.