A VILLAGE pub has been praised for its unique interior by Historic England which has given it further protection to save it from change.

The North Star, in Stocks Lane, Steventon, near Didcot,has maintained its Grade II-listed building status as part of a project by Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) to help save rare historic pub interiors.

Historic England – the public body that looks after the country's historic environment – has updated the pub's details highlighting its historic elements and giving it further protection.

Oxford Mail: Residents enjoying their local (Ed Nix)Residents enjoying their local (Ed Nix)

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The pub dates back to the late 16th century and is thought to have originally been a house.
The main bar contains free-standing bench seats with arms and high backs, normally found in country kitchens, and form a rectangle which, it says, "focuses on the warmth of the fireplace".
There is no bar counter, which the organisation describes as a rarity. Service is instead available via a stable door from the ground-floor cellar and from a hatch to the garden. Orders in the second room are served from a hatch to the cellar.

Oxford Mail: (Credit: Ed Nix)(Credit: Ed Nix)

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Six other pubs have also received further protection with two being awarded Grade II-listing – the Blythe Hill Tavern and Admiral Vernon in London. Another two have been upgraded to Grade II*-listed status – Whitelock's Ale House in Leeds and the Prince Alfred in Maida Vale, London.

The other pubs are:

  • The King’s Head, Laxfield, Suffolk
  • The Red Lion, Duke of York Street, London
  • The Harrow Inn, Steep, Petersfield
  • The Victoria, St Johns Street, Great Harwood, Blackburn
  • The Black Horse, Friargate, Preston, Lancashire
  • Bridge Inn, Bridge Hill, Topsham

Read more from this author

This story was written by Gee Harland, she joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.

Gee covers Wallingford and Didcot.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @Geeharland

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