Welcome To The Plough Inn
TRADITIONAL country pub in finstock, oxfordshire
Looking for a traditional country pub in Oxfordshire? The Plough Inn in Finstock is a historic, 18th-century thatched pub located at the lower end of Finstock High Street, just a short drive from Witney and Charlbury. With parts of the building dating back to 1772, we offer a warm, welcoming atmosphere full of charm and character.
We’re proud to be one of the most inviting dog friendly pubs in West Oxfordshire, welcoming well-behaved dogs in our cosy bar area. Whether you’re after a quiet pint by the log Inglenook fireplace or a relaxed family meal in our spacious garden, The Plough Inn is the perfect place to enjoy traditional hospitality in a beautiful setting.
Inside, you’ll find a well-stocked bar offering a great selection of locally brewed real ales, alongside a curated and good-value wine list. When the weather is warm, guests can enjoy drinks and food outside in our large pub garden — an ideal spot to relax and take in the peaceful surroundings of rural Oxfordshire.
Our food is freshly prepared in-house and reflects the best of local, seasonal produce. We use many ingredients sourced nearby, and our menu changes regularly to showcase what’s in season. From comforting pub classics to creative specials, there’s something for everyone, including a dedicated children’s menu.
Families are always welcome at The Plough, and we aim to make every visit enjoyable for guests of all ages. Our friendly and attentive team takes pride in delivering great service and delicious, home-cooked food at fair prices.
We also host regular events throughout the year, including popular theme nights, quiz evenings, and live music. Keep an eye on our blackboards in the pub or follow us on social media for the latest updates and seasonal specials.
Whether you're a local, a visitor exploring the Cotswolds, or simply passing through, The Plough Inn is your go-to country pub near Witney for freshly cooked food, real ales, and a warm welcome.
History of the plough inn
Dates of ownership
1777 - 1799
?
Before April 1804
April 1804
April 1805
July 1808
March 1812
23rd April 1821
9th May 1824
1839
1841 - 1874
1871
1874 -1880
1880 - 1883
1883 - 1897
1899 - 1920
1931 - 1939
1939 - 1953
1953 – 1975?
1967 - 1982
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986 - 1996
1996 - Nov. 2004
Nov. 2004 - Nov. 2005
Nov. 2005 - Jul. 2013
Jul. 2013 - present
William Harris
Margaret Bowerman
Richard Cooper
John Stayt of Bledington, Glos.
George Watson
Thomas Davis of Milton-under-Wychwood, a maltster
Isaac Newton Lawrence of Witney, a brewer
William Hall
Thomas Johnson, owned by Esquire Hall
John Hawkins, owned by Esquire Hall
Alfred Eeles
Ann Archer
Jason Bowerman, and Ann (nee Archer)
Ann Bowerman
Lewis Pratley, and Ann (nee Bowerman)
Walter Benfield Victualler
Albert Langford
Harold Langford and others
Sidney Langford
Philip Cooper
Dave Keetch
Mike Clarges
John Lambert
Moffatt
John and Val Baxter
Keith and Nigel Ewers
Darrell Lord and Louis Burridge
Joe McCorry and Martin Range
Guy and Jordan Wallis
The Plough Inn, situated in The Bottom is a Grade II listed building. It bears the date 1772 inscribed in the keystone of the voussoirs lintel above the entrance door. The building was originally a house of modest proportions with a two-room plan and central through passage, probably built for a husbandman (small farmer). The left hand room has an inglenook fireplace and the building was extended substantially in the late 18th or early 19th century and again in the 20th century. If the date-stone is correct, within five years of being built it was being used an alehouse. Jackson’s Oxford Journal reports that on 27th September 1777 there was a sale by auction at the Plough of Home Farm. William Harris was the proprietor.
The Victoria County History of Oxfordshire states “the Plough … was probably one of the two premises licensed in Finstock in 1780”. Until the enclosure of land, which came very late to Finstock in 1861, substantial parts of the village were held by the Manor of Charlbury, which in turn was owned by St John’s College, Oxford. In the 1786 Land Tax assessment William Harris was assessed at £1, being shown as an occupier. He is also appears in the 1799 Terrier of the Vicarage of Charlbury (a record of manorial land holding).
A series of records from the Court Baron of Charlbury Manor reveal a series of tenants held the Plough and adjacent land by Copyhold, or customary tenure in the early 19th century. Copies of these can be seen displayed on the walls of the Plough.
On 23rd April 1821 St John’s College sold the Plough to William Hall, esquire of the City of Oxford. He had purchased the Swan’s nest Brewery, later the Swan Brewery and The Plough was acquired as a tied house. Henry Hall succeeded William as proprietor of the Swan Brewery in 1837 and it was not until 1896 that the brewery became a company, known as Halls Oxford Brewery Ltd. Halls was taken over by Allsopps in1926, and further consolidation through Ind Coope and Allied Breweries took place. Although the Halls name survived for many years, brewing moved from Oxford to Burton-upon-Trent. In the 1970’s the Plough was sold into private hands where it remains today.
The 19th century history was dominated by two publicans. Alfred Eeles, born in Leafield in 1817, became landlord in c. 1840 aged just 23 and remained the innkeeper at the Plough until 1874. He also ran a grocer shop in High Street to where he moved. Ann Archer, at 34 years old was publican the Plough on his behalf in 1871 and after her marriage just three years later her husband Jason Bowerman took over. However, both Alfred Eeles and Jason Bowerman died just a few years later leaving Ann to take on the role of licensed victualler again. She remarried in 1883 to Lewis Pratley, a retired Police Constable but her death in 1897 ended a 26-year association with the Plough.
In 1863 the Finstock Independent Benefit Friendly Society was formed with the registered office at The Plough Inn. It initially had 41 members rising to 72 in 1874. Membership fell back to around 42 when a Methodist based society was formed in the village in 1883 and membership remained constant until it was dissolved in 1911. Monthly meetings were held at The Plough representing the clubhouse where members were required to pay their dues and purchase a set amount of beer from the landlord. An annual club day and feast was held on Ascension Day with festivities commencing with a church service and march round the village for all members, led by a Brass Band. A dinner was then held in a barn next to The Plough, since demolished. The afternoon saw festivities that included various stalls and entertainment. Copious amounts of alcohol was drunk by all throughout the day, often marred by unseemly behaviour.
The 20th century saw Walter Benfield in charge for the first two decades, with the Langford family through Albert, Harold and Sidney for four decades.
(History source)