A village pub near Oxford is to reopen next month under new management.

The Bat and Ball in Cuddesdon has been closed for over a year, and was put up for sale by owners Admiral Taverns.

Now Ben Moss, who runs the award-winning pub The Lamb Inn in nearby Little Milton, has struck a deal with the owners and will also run The Bat and Ball.

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It's the latest project for Mr Moss and The Montgomery Group, known for their revitalisation of the 15th century Lamb Inn.

The kitchen will be overseen by executive chef Nat Berney, who is celebrated for his work at Michelin star Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, and is currently Head Chef at The Lamb Inn.

Open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week, the dining space at the reopened Bat and Ball will accommodate over 50 guests, with 48 seated covers and additional standing space for 10.

(Image: Oxford Mail) The pub will also offer five guest rooms, including three king suites, one king, and one double, making it a destination for visitors and locals alike.

“It brings me so much joy to be bring this community pub back to life in the form of The Bat and Ball and continue our mission of creating inclusive spaces where everyone can come together and enjoy great food, drinks and hospitality,” said Mr Moss, founder of The Montgomery Group.

“The pub will preserve the essence of a classic British pub, where people can either pop down for a pint with their dog in tow or indulge in a proper dining experience with serious bottles of Bordeaux. ”

Diners can expect pub menu classics, with ingredients sourced from local suppliers.

Meat will come from third-generation butcher The Calnan Brothers in Watlington, seafood from Flying Fish Seafood, organically grown vegetables from DBF Banbury; and Somerset’s famed Longman’s Cheese, all delivered daily.

(Image: Oxford Mail) The wine list will focus on small growers, and they will serve local ales and a selection of Estrella beers.

Mr Moss said earlier: " The food at the Bat and Ball will be traditional but gastro.

"Haddock and chips will cost £18 and most dishes will cost from £16-£22."

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The pub in the village's High Street, dates from the 16th century.

It features cosy nooks and views of the surrounding area from the pub garden, which will have 48 covers.

(Image: Ben Moss) Interiors have been designed by Sally Price of Insider Dealings and the artwork has been curated by Indigo Art. 

Villagers have dedicated a lot of time to campaigning for the pub to reopen.

Nicko King, one of the campaigners, said earlier: "The whole village was shocked when the pub closed suddenly and without explanation. We'd lost a central part of our village life.

"We were then very worried that it would be yet another pub turned into a housing development.

"So we’re relieved and excited that Ben Moss, who runs a very successful award-winning pub, The Lamb Inn, in nearby Little Milton, has come forward with an offer to buy it.”

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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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