The Crown at Church Enstone in West Oxfordshire has just been taken over by Matt and Katie Beamish, who also run The Kingham Plough and The Hare at Milton-under-Wychwood, and is due to open on November 1!
The couple bought The Crown in September 2022, following on from the success of the Kingham Plough, which Matt and Katie took over from chef patron and Great British Menu winner, Emily Watkins, in late 2019. (read our review of The Kingham Plough here)
Matt and Katie also own and run village dining pub, The Hare at Milton-under-Wychwood, which they acquired in August 2020. read about it here
The husband-and-wife team had been on the lookout for a suitable third Oxfordshire pub for some time, so are thrilled to be taking on The Crown, in the historic village of Church Enstone.
“This hidden gem of a pub in a gorgeous village is so warm and inviting and heaving with old-world charm,“ says Matt Beamish. “We couldn’t have found a place in a more idyllic setting, and we can’t wait to re-open on November 1 to meet the locals and welcome visitors to the area.”
The Crown has undergone an extensive refurbishment of its ground floor bar and adjoining dining rooms, as well as five bedrooms which have been finished to a very high spec and named after neighbouring villages and hamlets.
The old lean-to conservatory is now a beautiful, plant-filled garden room with French doors leading directly onto a sunny walled, cottage garden with mature plants and climbers.
Food its always very much at the forefront of The Beamish’s ethos so expect a highly skilled kitchen brigade and front of house team, modern British dishes and fresh, local produce.
Think meat from Paddock Farm, seafood and responsibly sourced fish from New Wave Seafood & Kingfisher, fruit, vegetables & herbs from local suppliers and farmers, eggs from Cacklebean Eggs, cured meats from ‘Salt Pig’ Chipping Norton and bread from Marks Cotswold Bakery, also based in Chipping Norton.
The Crown was originally built to accommodate the workers who restored and developed the Church in the 16th Century. Rumour has it that Charles I once stayed at the inn which is why it is called The Crown, when he visited from Oxford.
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The Crown Inn, Mill Lane, Church Enstone, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire OX7 4NN; To book, call 01608 677 262 or visit www.crowninnenstone.co.uk