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The Mitre

Date of photo: 2012

© Copyright Robin Sones and licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0


 
The Mitre was situated on the High Street.  This grade-II* listed pub closed in 2018. It had been an inn from c1300 and known as the Mitre from c1500. The property of Lincoln College since 1450.
Source: Colin Price
 
What is sometimes considered to be Oxford's oldest pub, the Mitre on [the] High Street, is set to become a Gusto Italian restaurant according to a planning application to Oxford City Council. Although functioning mainly as a restaurant for many years prior to closure in 2019, it retained a bar selling real ale where you could go just for a drink - although the Turl Bar, at the rear of the building, became part of student accommodation around 20 years ago.
Owner Lincoln College - whose bishop's mitre crest gives the building its name - has been criticised by tour guide Rob Walters for not respecting the building's heritage and in effect allowing only diners to enjoy it. The Grade II-listed Mitre has a more credible claim to be Oxford's oldest pub than the Bear Inn, which claims the title based on a former coaching inn which used to stretch all the way from [the] High Street to the present building, which dates from 1606. The Mitre has a 13th century cellar and used to display a list of landlords dating back to 1230, although the building you see today dates from the 17th century.
Dave Richardson, Oxford Drinker magazine, August-September 2022
 

 
Listed building details:
Three and four storeyed stuccoed, partly rubble and partly brick and timber framing, with C13 and C17 cellars. The south front was rebuilt circa 1630 and altered in C18; the east range of the south front was originally C17 but has been heightened in C19 and modernised. The east elevation is C17 but has been modernised. On the north there are modern additions to a C17 block. The south elevation is of three and four storeys stuccoed with a Welsh slate roof which is partly hipped on the south east corner. Three-sided bays and sash windows on each floor. There is an overhang on the east range which has plastered rusticated quoins at the south east angle. Wood cornice at the second floor. A C17 moulded entrance doorway is in the centre which originally led through to a yard. East elevation is three-storeyed stuccoed which has been modernised but retains the late C18 sash windows. On the north elevation a central block and a west wing has three storeys with attics and a overhang. Three gables have moulded bargeboards and pendant finials and in the gables are three oriel windows with moulded wood cills and carved brackets, one of the latter being dated 1631; there are also sash windows.
Interior: Includes C13 and C17 cellars, C17 fireplaces and blocked windows, C17 and C18 staircases, C17 panelling and plastered ceiling beams.
History: Has been an inn from circa 1300 and known as the Mitre from circa 1500. The property of Lincoln College since 1450. The interior has been completely modernised (1968) and the upper floors are now student accommodation for Lincoln College. The lower floors remain a Public House. Most of the features have been retained.
 

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Picture source: Hania Franek