History of The Old New Inn

The Inn originally came into being as an amalgamation of two cottages and a barn in 1714. This became a lodging place for travellers on their way via Burford to Oxford across Westcote Heath.

The Heath at that time was renowned for footpads and robbers who came from the Wychwood Forest, on the Oxfordshire side of the hill, and it was not safe to cross except in broad daylight.

Since then the Inn has, we hope, built its reputation for hospitality and good cheer for totally different reasons. In fact, in 1860, it was given, as a present, by Mrs Florence Bloss, mother of John Alfred Bloss, in recognition of the love of a mother for her son (we know not what the Inland Revenue thought of that).

After the railway arrived, the Inn became a stop over for Commercial Travellers, who would hire horses and traps to visit the local villages with their samples.