A village pub which shut due to the cost of living crisis remains closed and up for sale.

The White Hart in the idyllic village of Wytham near Oxford has been a popular pub for about 300 years but has remained closed since the end of 2022.

Mark 'Baz' Butcher ran the Wadworth pub for eight years before leaving as landlord.

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He cited the cost of living crisis as his reason for leaving.

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.

The pub established a reputation for cultural events under Mr Butcher's leadership.

(Image: White Hart) It has hosted musical events including jazz concerts and even staged its own literary festival, with speakers including food critic Jay Rayner – who admitted to being a huge fan of the pub.

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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.

(Image: White Hart) Mr Butcher is believed to have acquired the freehold to the pub six years after taking on the role of landlord.

The pub was being marketed by property company Fleurets for a guide price of £975,000, but that price has now dropped to £725,000.

Fleurets said: "The White Hart is a classic Cotswold stone public house retaining a wealth of characterful original features throughout, with an attractive walled courtyard overlooked only by a square dovecote.

"In addition to the 87 covers provided internally, there are 10 wooden 'gypsy caravan' style pods and a further 15 tables.

"Beyond the courtyard is the pub's original stable block, which with its separate adjoining bar makes for an ideal events space. Above the stables is a substantial roof space that offers the potential for conversion to three ensuite letting rooms (subject to consents).

(Image: Oxford Mail) "We highly recommend an internal inspection of the White Hart in order to appreciate its flexible potential."

In one of the last reviews Tripadvisor before the pub shut, one visitor wrote in October 2022: " We tried to come here for lunch on our walk to Wytham Woods two days ago but it was closed and looked properly shut up. A gentleman saw us looking and told us he was local and that the owners had left and the pub was now closed."

Dave Richardson, of the Oxford branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), said it was a "great shame" that no-one had come forward to buy the pub, as the asking price didn't seem too high, compared to some on offer in the county.

He added: "Being so close to Oxford and in such a lovely village, you would think there would be plenty of takers.

"But things are tough in the pub industry, and the days are long gone when you could put a half-decent chef into and attractive rural pub and be sure to make lots of money.

"What we don't want to see is any attempt to sell it as a private house, as we would expect the local authority to resist that and we would fight it all the way. Wytham needs its pub, so we hope someone with vision comes forward to restore it to its rightful place."

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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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