A popular foodies pub remains closed after the landlord retired due to the cost of living crisis.

The White Hart in the village of Wytham currently has no sign of life having stood for more than 300 years. 

Mark 'Baz' Butcher ran the Wadworth pub for eight years before leaving as landlord at the end of last year.

It is understood that the pub has been shut for several months with property specialist company Fleurets stating there has been a "retirement sale". 

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A previous statement by the pub said the "award-winning 17th century restaurant" had been  "Bu**ered by Brexit, survived Covid, currently closed by energy costs, inflation and complete government inaction". 

Parts of the pub remain almost unchanged since 1720, including its walled courtyard and a weather-proof canopy.

Oxford Mail: Mark 'Baz' Butcher

The pub established a reputation as a cultural magnet under Mr Butcher's leadership.

It has hosted musical events including jazz concerts and last year staged its own literary festival, with speakers including food critic Jay Rayner – who admitted to being a huge fan of the pub.

It also featured in the sequel to the Mamma Mia film, with actress Lily James filmed in 2018 on her bike leading cyclists past the hostelry.

The pub is now being marketed by property company Fleurets for a guide price of £975,000.

Mr Butcher is believed to have acquired the freehold to the pub six years after taking on the role of landlord.

Oxford Mail:

Fleurets has described the pub as a "quintessential country pub and restaurant" which is "very accessible on the outskirts of Oxford".

The company has also noted the "excellent outside dining facilities" and states there has been a "retirement sale".

Dave Richardson, of real ale group Oxford CAMRA, said: "This was a successful dining pub and a destination pub and I'm confident it will reopen at some point.

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"Many country dining pubs have done well but they face rising costs including rising energy bills now government support has been scaled back.

"It's perhaps not surprising that it hasn't yet attracted new tenants with so many financial uncertainties.

Oxford Mail: The canopy at the White Hart

"The pub does have great potential to re-establish itself as a dining pub which people are prepared to travel to."

He added: "It was impressive the way capacity was extended during Covid by opening up the garden with a lot of outdoor seating."

Food writer Jay Rayner and John Simpson were among speakers appearing at a book festival at the pub in March last year.

The pub had a four out of five rating on reviews site Tripadvisor.

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One visitor wrote in November: "We had an utterly delightful time at this restaurant. The photos don't do it justice.

"It just looks a little drab in them, but in person the interior and garden when you are there and actually boots on the ground is charming and relaxing, as was the small interior room we ate in close to the tiny bar with the game table.

Oxford Mail: The White Hart in Wytham

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"Our meals were amazing, frankly shocked by how good. We could have eaten seconds on everything."

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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