A rolling round-up of developments around Oxford and beyond
Reassurance over Eagle and Child?
The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), which owns the historic Eagle and Child in Oxford that has been closed since Covid hit in 2020, has reiterated that it still plans to re-open the pub next year.
It is under extensive renovation to restore the historic aspects of the pub while creating better facilities at the rear where a 1960s extension has been removed. Work will also open up the garden.
Little can be seen from its frontage in St Giles, but people who have ventured down a passageway to see it from the back report that little appears to be happening. The pub is revered by Tolkien fans as the meeting point for many years of writers known as the Inklings.
EIT released a statement saying: “The E&C is indeed on course for re-opening in 2027. There is a full refurbishment/restoration going on behind the large hoardings that may not be visible to the casual passerby. We’ll keep you up to date with more news when we have it.”
While functioning as a traditional pub on the ground floor, it will have meeting rooms above giving EIT a foothold in the city centre. EIT is a major American biotech and medical research company that is building a campus at Oxford Science Park in Littlemore, to include more than 300,000 sq ft of research laboratories, educational and meeting spaces. This is also due for completion next year and could employ up to 7,000 people.
North Star back in business
A historic village pub in South Oxfordshire has now reopened following the completion of roof repairs.
The North Star in Steventon, near Abingdon, re-opened in June having been closed since September last year. It required extensive roof repairs but is now open daily from 11am-11pm, and is an experience not to be missed.
The North Star is on CAMRA’s list of Historic Pub Interiors, and is described in its book Britain’s Best Real Heritage Pubs “one of the great village pub rooms of Britain”.
Its entry on CAMRA’s website reads: “Despite appearing in the news for being partially demolished on New Year’s Day in 2003 and being closed during restoration, the North Star remains one of Oxfordshire’s finest pubs.
“Standing on The Causeway, it is one of a series of 17th century half-timbered houses and buildings, fully deserving its Grade II-listed status. It has been in the hands of the same family over a long period of time. The North Star has barely a bar as such, merely a servery from the beer store to the tiny low-ceilinged public and lounge bars, the former with impressive high-backed seating surrounding the fireplace.”
Lord Kitchener revival
The Lord Kitchener at Curbridge, near Witney, re-opened in July after four years of closure. Three local cask beers are usually available, including from Little Ox and Hook Norton, and some real thought has been put in on the keg side, with Wye Valley’s Nighttjar stout appearing.
Publicans Paul and Lianne Newton have spent two years working to get the pub ready and have done a fabulous job. Despite its size the pub retains many areas that have the feel of a delightful village local.
The menu is seasonal and currently heavily Majorcan influenced – Pamboli, Tapas, Asado, plus some pub favourites. It may be a food destination, but the smaller areas that make up the majority of the space don’t feel at all like a restaurant. There is also plenty of seating in the garden.
Pubs re-open under new names
The pub in Steeple Aston reopened in July with new proprietors Jonathan Perritt and Paolo Cangiano and a new name. Previously known as the Red Lion, the pub has now become the Chequers. In fact it has returned to its original name, as when the building became a pub in 1765 it was named the Chequers. It became the Red Lion in 1830 and was purchased by Hook Norton Brewery in 2005. The pub is currently open five days a week, being closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. But the intention it to open seven days a week as soon as possible.
Another pub which has re-opened under a new name is the Fire Sprite Pub and Grill in Minster Lovell, previously known as the Horse and Radish, which is owned and run by Nigel and Rachel Bailey. The pub is serving two ales, including St Austell Tribute at time of writing.
Chandlers Arms re-opens
The Chandlers Arms in Epwell, near Banbury, was due to re-open on August 26 as EMBER at the Chandlers Arms, with Matty Cartwright and Harry Flockhart at the helm. There will be craft beers from around the world and house-made cask ales brewed in Warwickshire. Live fire cooking will be featured, and surplus bread will incorporated into the brewing process to help reduce food waste.
The Fox returns to Middle Barton
A much-loved village pub has re-opened Middle Barton after several years of closure. The Fox re-opened its doors on July 18 as a Wine Devil pub, and has been lovingly restored. Two cask beers are being served, which were North Cotswold Shagweaver and Hook Norton’s Off The Hook on opening day. In a previous incarnation this was a North Oxon Pub of the Year several times, so it’s good to see it back open again.
In Brief
The Broad Face in Abingdon re-opened in July under the joint control of Sanderson Pubs, which owns of the Chequers at Burcot; and Fluxy Pubs, which owns the Three Horseshoes at Benson and the Shepherds Hut at Ewelme. The Broad Face continues to be owned by Greene King and sells a range of its beers.
The former Bystander pub in Wootton, near Abingdon, has become the first branch in Oxfordshire of the Hickory’s Smokehouse chain. It had been operating as a Greene King Hungry Horse pub.
The James Street Tavern in Oxford was being advertised as available to new tenants at the time of writing, and Morgan Pub Collective has been in the running to take it over. The College Oak in Abingdon, Boat Inn in Thrupp and Ye Olde Cross Keys in Witney were other GK pubs looking for new teams to run them, with the College Oak advertised as a Hive franchise pub.
The White Horse in Stonesfield, near Witney, has applied to West Oxfordshire District Council to expand its bar area, add a dining extension to its beer garden, create a new porch and new toilet facilities. Community-Owned, it was bought by a group of local people in September 2023 and re-opened in June 2024.