THE successful transformation of a former Oxford pub into trendy flats has been recognised at Oxford Preservation Trust’s annual environmental awards.

The Wharf House – one-time drinking hole in Butterwycke Place – was honoured alongside some of Oxford’s grandest buildings such as the Sheldonian Theatre and Exeter College Chapel.

The Wharf House was one of only two buildings to survive the redevelopment of the St Ebbe’s district of the city.

Judges praised “the enlightened approach” in converting the former pub into four flats.

The new King’s Lock Visitor Centre on the River Thames, near Wolvercote, was another project to receive one of the eight plaques awarded.

The centre, built with recycled and low carbon materials, was the brainchild of lock keeper Leigh Fenton and relief lock keeper Sarah Markham.

Its opening in March marked the 80th anniversary of Kings Lock, which has the smallest lock office on the Thames but welcomes the second largest number of visitors each year.

Mr Fenton, resident lock keeper for 30 years, said: “We wanted to build a larger office to cater for all these visitors, where we could sell boat licenses as well as provide information about safe boating and the area’s history and wildlife.”

More traditional Oxford projects were recognised – including the newly-restored Sheldonian Theatre ceiling and the restoration work at Stone’s Court Almshouses in St Clement’s.

The restoration at Exeter College Chapel, one of Oxford’s great architectural glories, also got an award.

The chapel has many claims to fame, not least as the place where Inspector Morse collapsed in the famous final episode, and it also figures in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy.

The judges said: “The project has achieved magnificent results in the front quadrangle of the college, bringing new attention to this important building.”

The other plaque winners were North Hinksey Nature Reserve, with North Hinksey Parish Council involved in the reconstruction of a site formerly filled with disused allotments and sheds, the New College School Sports Hall and the Victoria Water Fountain, in St Clement’s, which was based on E.P.Warren’s original drawings.

A £2m project to transform the former city eyesore Bonn Square also received a plaque.

Debbie Dance, director of Oxford Preservation Trust, said: “These projects demonstrate there is so much to see in every part of Oxford.

“We hope the awards play their part in getting people to visit these places.”

Special certificates were awarded to projects including the multi-million pound restoration of the Pitt Rivers Museum in Parks Road.