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Picture source: Hania Franek

The White Hart was originally a farmhouse. The premises date from the late 17th century and are grade-II listed. The pub closed in 2022.

Closure of the White Hart in Yarnton in the middle of August might not, at first sight, seem of great concern to CAMRA members and real ale enthusiasts. While everyone would sympathise with the landlady forced to give up at the end of her tenancy due to falling custom and escalating costs, the closure is symptomatic of the plight facing many pubs. The landlady, Kerry Osborne, has spoken eloquently of the problems faced by tenants, leaseholders and owner-managers on BBC Radio Oxford, and in the Oxford Mail – telling the latter that the 30% drop in trade caused by Covid had worsened to 50% due to the cost of living squeeze. Customers who would have come in for four or five pints were now having just one or two, and by 8pm the pub might as well close due to the lack of customers. She was also critical of pub owner Admiral Taverns, which plans to invest in the pub but put up the rent. She decided to give up instead and has moved to the Windrush Club in Witney as bar manager. The White Hart’s Facebook page shows film of the lights being turned off for the last time under Kerry’s tenure, and it is clear from comments left by customers that she will be greatly missed. The pub ran a foodbank and weekly podcast during the lockdowns to help locals, and as a result was entered for the Great British Pub Awards. It is the only pub in Yarnton itself although the Turnpike Inn is on the A44 roundabout nearby

Dave Richardson via Oxford Drinker website (August 2022)

Listed building details:

Farmhouse, now public house. Late C17: extended mid/late C18. Uncoursed limestone rubble; cross-gabled stone slate roof; brick left end stack and rear lateral stack. 2 storeys and attic; one-window range. Timber lintels over C20 door to right, and 2- and 3-light casements. Mid C18 one-storey extension to right of similar materials with brick end stack and two 3-light leaded casements. Mid C18 rear wing of similar materials. Small one-storey, one-bay C18 extension to left of front, with C19 three-light casement. Interior: chamfered beams. Late C18 fireplace in rear room. First floor not inspected. Subsidiary features: limestone rubble wall approx. 20m. long attached to late C18 stable to right: of similar limestone rubble with gabled stone slate roof.

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Other Photos

Picture source: MJ Crook

Picture source: Hania Franek

Picture source: Hania Franek