A HISTORIC pub taken over by villagers 18 months ago has been named the best community pub in the country.

The Abingdon Arms in Beckley appears in the 2018 Sawdays pub guide and has been chosen from the almost 800 pubs featured for the special award - one of only six handed out.

The High Street pub was bought by The Beckley and Area Community Benefit Society in January last year from Oxfordshire chain Brakspear.

Oxford Mail:

Manager Aimee Bronock with head chef Joe Walton Picture: Ed Nix

The group first launched a community fundraising campaign in October 2016 and raised £504,000 from 280 investors in just two months.

The investors are from all across the UK with the majority based at five local villages, Beckley, Horton-Cum-Studley, Elsfield, Noke and Stanton St John.

Following a complete refurbishment by a team of more than 100 local volunteers last year, in June the group found new tenants in publicans Aimee Bronock and Joe Walton, who is also head chef.

One of the main attractions of the pub is its food, with a ever-changing menu based on local seasonal produce.

The pair have put their own stamp on the 17th century pub, which is just four-and-a-half miles from Oxford and has served some of the city’s most famous residents.

Evelyn Waugh drowned his sorrows here after getting a third at Oxford University, while Lewis Carroll was inspired to create the giant chessboard in Alice Through the Looking Glass by the chequered fields of Otmoor.

Ms Bronock said: “The Abingdon Arms is the perfect place to retreat to after a day of exploring the colleges and cobbled streets of the famous university city.

“Being situated on one of the highest points near Oxford, the views from our terraced gardens are among the best in Oxfordshire with visitors being able to take in the whole of Otmoor and the surrounding villages.”

The entire entry for the pub is available on the Sawdays website and is full of praise.

It describes The Abingdon Arms as one of its ‘favourite new finds’ adding: “On a sunny day, sit in the handsome beer garden with a golden pint of Shotover Trinity and a plate of fish and handcut village chips, enjoying the views across Otmoor. The locals love their newly-restored pub, and so will you.”

The Abingdon Arms is one of eight pubs in the county that have been transformed by community ownership in recent years. Last month the Abingdon Arms also hosted the first meeting of the Oxfordshire Community Pubs Network, aimed at pubs taken over by residents.

The Abingdon Arms is one of eight pubs in the county that have been transformed by community ownership in recent years.

Last month the Abingdon Arms also hosted the first meeting of the Oxfordshire Community Pubs Network, aimed at pubs taken over by residents survive and thrive