A rolling round-up of developments around Oxford and across the county
Rose & Crown, Charlbury
This renowned real ale pub in West Oxfordshire has become the latest addition to Oak Taverns’ range, and it would seem a perfect fit. Oak Taverns has won many plaudits for running and in some cases reviving traditional pubs with an emphasis on real ale, with no food provided except for an eclectic range of food vans which visit many of its pubs at weekends.
Nikki Page, daughter of long-serving landlord Tom Ford, wrote on Facebook: “As many of you know, when Tom sadly passed away in 2023, I took over the licence. Since then, I’ve tried to run the Rosie in the spirit my dad did for some 37 years.
“While the business continues to thrive, I’ve been reflecting for some time on the pub’s future — and my own. After much deliberation and many sleepless nights, I’ve decided to sell the Rose & Crown. This is something Dad and I talked about often in the latter part of his life, so his wishes are very much embedded in the decision I’m announcing today, as well as in my hopes for the future of the pub that’s been in my family for nearly four decades.
“I’m pleased to let you know that a lovely, family-run real ale group will be taking over the reins and giving the Rose & Crown the care, attention and investment it needs to serve Charlbury for another 40 years. And I’m happy to say that my amazing team of staff will be staying on, so there will be continuity and familiar faces behind the bar – and the beer will keep flowing.”
Oak Taverns runs a series of pubs in Oxfordshire market towns and villages, and those it has revived after periods of closure include the Sun at Wheatley, Crown at Marcham and Red Lion at Yarnton. But with the Rose & Crown, it has found an existing pub perfect for its needs.
Managing director Simon Collinson told the Morning Advertiser: “I saw it the same day I heard it was for sale and thought, ‘this is the finished article for Oak Taverns’. This is the sort of thing we want to try and get our pubs to over a period of time, and this is the first time we have just bought a pub like this.”
- Charlbury is easily reached from Oxford with an hourly train service taking less than 20 minutes, and it is also on a direct bus route.
Masons Arms, Headington
The Headington Beer Festival returns to this highly regarded real ale pub from September 5-7, with 40 real ales, craft beers and ciders. It missed a year in 2024 and had been considering another time of year, but has again settled on early September.
Bear Inn, Oxford
Closed for refurbishment in June, this historic pub has re-opened with double the indoor space and revamped outside space, after taking over a former tanning salon next door which has been fitted it out with modern seating for up to 30, TV for live sports and more toilets.
The original small pub is unchanged, still boasting its impressive collection of old ties. The Fuller’s pub must now have well over 100 seats, and with an expanded kitchen it is well placed to meet the many challenges faced by all pubs. Visiting the original building is a very different experience, and as this is what makes the Bear unique.
Farmer’s Dog, Asthall
Opened by TV celebrity Jeremy Clarkson in August last year, the pub – on the A40 near Burford – has reached agreement to sell Butcombe Original real ale, while some of Butcombe’s pubs will sell Clarkson’s Hawkstone bottled lager.
White House, Bladon
Mevlan Karaj took over the tenancy of this Community-Owned pub in June, bringing years of hospitality experience and local knowledge having run a pub in Woodstock. He took over from Nicola Smith, who had worked hard developing the White House as a hub for Bladon.
Brewdog, Oxford
The Scottish-based craft keg brewer announced closure of its Cowley Road, Oxford branch in July – one of a series of 10 closures nationwide including its flagship site in Aberdeen. The long, narrow pub was formerly known as the Corridor, and interest now focuses on its future role as a pub or some other kind of hospitality outlet.
North Star, Steventon
This quaint 17th century pub is expected to close for a while probably from September 10, when the current tenant leaves. There is much work to do on the building, particularly the roof. It is Grade II listed and its lack of a bar – it only has a serving hatch – has assured it of listing by CAMRA as “a pub interior of outstanding national historic importance”.