A former coaching inn and popular steak house is undergoing a major revamp over the winter - costing a cool 700,000.

The Grapes at Yarnton, which dates back to the 18th century, has called time until next February for alterations by new owner, Bass Taverns, which also owns The Trout pub at nearby Godstow.

During the four-month closure - which will mean missing out on the traditionally busy Christmas and New Year celebrations - internal refurbishment will be carried out and an kitchen extension added.

A spokesman for Bass, which took over the handsome Cotswold stone-roofed inn with hundreds of other pubs from Allied Domecq last year, said the revamp was scheduled to cost 700,000.

The aim was to turn The Grapes into one of its 'Vintage Inns' of individual character and history - such as The Trout.

The Grapes' longevity is illustrated by its former period as The Turn Pike Inn, named because of its location beside the old turnpike road north to Woodstock, now the A44.