A popular Oxfordshire pub which has featured on television has reopened after its future was left uncertain due to months of closure.
The Six Bells on The Green in Warborough operated for the last time on Wednesday, March 27, with the family in charge departing the pub.
Former landlords Gary and Sam moved into the pub in October 2022 but ended their tenure after one last night with regulars.
After months of the pub’s future hanging in the balance as the closure remained in place, new landlords have finally arrived to the rescue.
READ MORE: Popular pub closes down as landlords leave ‘wonderful’ watering hole
The pub is Warborough's only watering hole. (Image: Brakspear)
Eve Griffin and Henry Clayton softly reopened the village’s only pub last week while renovations continue.
“I am in love with the area, it is so beautiful,” said Ms Griffin.
“It is so important for us to move here and the village has been so welcoming to us and the residents are so excited to have their pub back.
“We are open softly so just the bar at the minute is open because we have essential maintenance going on in the kitchen as we are getting new equipment in and having a deep clean.
“We have seen a lot of people coming since reopened.”
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Henry and Eve have rescued the pub from months of closure. (Image: Brakspear)
The 42-year-old landlady is originally from Farnborough in Hampshire but has travelled around a lot during her 15 years in the pub industry.
She was most recently at The Terrace in Stoke where she met 51-year-old Mr Clayton from nearby Berrick Salome.
“I’m coming back after 30 years as my family still live in Berrick and Benson,” he said.
“That was definitely part of the thought process of coming here to spend more time with family.
“This is my first pub as I had been a jouster over two decades performing at historical locations such as Warwick Castle and the Royal Armouries in Leeds.”
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The watering hole is an iconic television filming spot overlooking the village’s cricket green, with the pub featuring in ITV crime drama series Midsomer Murders and several films.
“It's great to be in charge of a famous pub and we have had two coach tours a few already called in,” revealed Ms Griffin.
“We expect in the summer months that we will get a lot of customers due to the Midsomer Murders fanfare.”
The pair hope to fully reopen by August once all the redecoration is done and the kitchen is up and running.
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The pub has a very traditional feel inside. (Image: Brakspear)
“Physically it will remain the same but with a freshen up because we want to keep that olde worlde feel,” said Mr Clayton.
“We want to brighten up the bar area so it isn’t quite as dark inside as well as redecorate the restaurant area.
“Come say hello and meet us and we’re very happy to be in such a historic pub.”
With the exception of Monday, the pub will be open each day of the week to welcome in Warborough’s residents.
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The pub has been a popular filming spot over the years. (Image: Brakspear)
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