Welcome to the Oxford Monopoly Pub Challenge Event
This idea came about after discovering the Monopoly pub crawl on the Internet where teams of people visit a pub on all the 26 streets on the original London Monopoly board. Now we come from Oxford and as it happens there is also an Oxford edition of the board. So in 2009 we started.
The Ultimate Picture Palace, Oxford - Needs You!
The Ultimate Picture Palace on Cowley Road is Oxford’s oldest and only truly independent cinema, treasured by locals for its unique charm and vintage character. Housed in a Grade II-listed building dating back to 1911, this single-screen cinema offers an intimate experience where cinema-goers can enjoy a diverse lineup of films, from the latest indie hits and classics to international and cult favourites.
Known for its red velvet seats, art deco aesthetics, and community feel, the UPP is a must-visit for film lovers looking to experience movies in a setting that feels both personal and historic. The UPP provides a carefully curated selection of films that visitors won’t find in mainstream theatres. And as a community-supported cinema, it frequently hosts special events, Q&As, and themed nights, enriching Oxford’s cultural scene.
March 2026 – Update – Petition.
The future of Oxford’s much loved independent cinema, the Ultimate Picture Palace (UPP), is at great risk. Opened in 1911, it’s housed in an iconic Grade II listed building. It’s one of the oldest independent cinemas in England, and the only one which is community owned, with over 1,200 shareholders. It’s defying national trends in ticket sales and is a cultural hub for people across the city and beyond.
Even its greatest fans would say the cinema needs improvements. So that we can be fit for the future we have to invest in better access, better sightlines, better sound quality and more efficient use of energy. We have planning permission and funders keen to support us if we can meet their requirements for a long-term lease. But our landlord, Oriel College won’t commit because our building is in the footprint of their plans for a ‘Fifth Quad’ to accommodate graduate students.
As a treasured venue for the arts, the UPP has huge potential to enrich the college’s development while continuing to contribute to the city’s cultural life, to everyone’s benefit. There is a wonderful opportunity to co-produce the next scene of this remarkable little cinema’s story.
Oriel get a grip please. This place is a massive part of the community. Real people live here too. If every cultural venue is replaced by accomodation there will be nothing left for your students to do, and nowhere for your students to integrate into and experience the fabric of Oxford outside of the university. The arts and cultural life of Oxford should be supported and allowed to grow not bulldozed.
Help us persuade Oriel College to extend our lease
so we can stay where we belong.
The responses to this petition will be sent to the Governing Body at Oriel College, including the Provost Lord Neil Mendoza (also Chair of Historic England). We are raising the issues and the growing support for the campaign with Lord William Hague (Chancellor of the University of Oxford), Professor Irene Tracey (Vice Chancellor of the University of Oxford), Oxford MPs Annelise Dodds and Layla Moran, Councillor Susan Brown (Leader of Oxford City Council), the Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP (Sec of State for Culture,
2026 Monopoly Event – Saturday, July 4th – Details will appear here soonish.
The Rules
To visit a pub on each of the Oxford Monopoly sites, have a drink in each one of those pubs, all to be completed in one day. Yes, you can drink a pint in each pub, but if you would like to complete the Challenge, then maybe half a pint is more feasible. Off course this is all about having a fun day out, so you don’t have to have an alcoholic drink. A good idea is to take some packed lunch with you, there’s no time for sitting and having a pub meal. Also drinking a fair bit of water throughout the day could be a good idea as well.
The Original Route
To go around the route in order that the sites appear on the board might be difficult and may not be do-able in the time. So as most of us live in Kidlington, our first few years started at the Pear Tree, through Jericho, on to Oxford, up to Headington, down to Cowley and Iffley Roads and then finishing back in Oxford.
At some sites there isn’t any pubs, so we have chosen the nearest pub. During the research for this, it was surprising how many pubs have closed or changed into night clubs, noodle bars and the like. We are sticking to “proper” pubs, no high class bars or bistros as far as possible. We have taken a few liberties, for example the Kassam Stadium, Oxford United’s present stadium, has got a Frankie and Benny’s but is about four miles from the center of Oxford. A lot of walking and wasted time on buses, so we have decided to go to a pub near to Oxford United’s old football ground, in Headington.
There has been some concerns over the amount of walking, no fears, there are lots of buses and if it comes to the worse, there are always taxis. There are a few options to get to the Peartree roundabout. Bus from Oxford to the Peartree Park and Ride. Bus from Kidlington to Five Mile Drive, a quick walk from here. Or get someone to drive you there.
Below are the details of the original route back in 2009, it and the pubs have been changed over the years.
Remember, try not to get too drunk and try and behave.
Although pubs welcome trade, they will not be to pleased as a large group of loud drunkards rush in to drink half’s, get abusive, fall over, etc, etc. Over large groups would be better to split into smaller groups. It will be nice to finish, and celebrate a good day out and not end up on the ‘Go To Jail Square’.
