The Crown at Shipton

The Crown at Shipton, originally The Shaven Crown, is believed to have been established back in the 14th or early 15th century. The building's original owners were the monks of Bruern Abbey, who used it as a guesthouse for pilgrims and travelers. After Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 1530s, the property came under the Crown, reportedly functioning as a royal hunting lodge before being returned to village control. The Crown Inn Charity was later established in 1578 to use income from the building for local welfare, including bridge maintenance and community support.

Over the centuries, the inn became a hub for parish meetings and social activities, founding the Crown Inn Friendly Society in 1860. Ownership eventually transitioned from trustees to hoteliers during the 20th century, and today operates under Larry Lipman, chairman of the Safestay hotel brand.

The Crown at Shipton is registered as a Grade II listed building, representative of medieval vernacular designs in England. It was constructed primarily from limestone rubble with freestone dressings, though the inn features Cotswold stone-tiled roofs and coped verges. The layout follows two wings to the sides, mullioned windows with labels, and an irregular elevated courtyard.

Though gradually modernized through the ages, it retains many notable medieval interior elements. The main hall features spere trusses, arch-braced roof timbers, and decorative windbraces. Later embellishments include entrance porches with Tudor arches, plank doors with medieval hinges, and fireplaces believed to be added in the 15th and 17th centuries. Fortunately, later restorations preserved these features, integrating them into the iconic look of some of the inn's spaces and suites.

Just because The Crown at Shipton is a centuries-old inn doesn't mean they'll be stuck with old recipes. Dining at The Crown is guaranteed to be a gourmet experience, featuring incredibly beautiful and equally delicious bistronomic takes on classic English pub fare. Dine on comforting, familiar items such as pot pie and fish & chips, or try the house specials like The Crown Cheeseburger. Like any great English dining spot, they also celebrate Sunday roasts, offering turkey, ribeye steaks, and lamb shanks.

Since Shipton-under-Wychwood is part of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, guests staying at the inn will find plenty of fun things to do when they go out to explore. The region is very popular with the aristocracy, and is dotted with the manors and country houses of once-powerful families. Shipton Court is one nearby example, and though privately owned, its woodlands and gardens are usually open to the public. Over at Woodstock sits Blenheim Palace, one of the most beautiful surviving estates in England and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Aside from manors, the neighboring villages and towns have plenty of places to visit and discover. Bould Wood is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) but is open to hikers and nature lovers. If you'd rather stay in the town proper, Burford is a charming medieval town with plenty of shops, pubs, and the Burford Tolsey Museum. Another one is Eynsham, known to have been settled since the Roman-British Era.