My mother, who was by anyone's definition a perfect lady, made reservations at the Trout. We took a taxi out to the restaurant. (It's very nice, really, right on the river. If you're English, I reccomend it highly.) It's a good distance from the town, as you know. When we arrived, we were informed that they had no reservation for us. Another American couple had the same experience, the next night.
We were advised, by a don from the College of Medieval and Rennaissence Studies, to stay out of the Eagle and Child, because they wouldn't serve Americans. Visiting England had long been a dream of mine. I wish my experience had been better.