The Shaven Crown, believed to be among the oldest licensed inns in the country with a history of serving pints to patrons dating back to 1384, is up for sale to new owners.

The village pub in Shipton-under-Wychwood, between Burford and Chipping Norton, is currently closed and not trading, and has now been brought to the market by agent Colliers.

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Available freehold with vacant possession, the grade II listed property comprises eight guest bedrooms, a range of distinctive public trading areas, a commercial kitchen, a courtyard and gardens, customer parking, and spacious three-bedroom owners’ accommodation.

The pub is one of England’s oldest licenced inns, pouring pints since 1384 (Image: Colliers)

It’s most unique feature is the medieval Great Hall, a stunning space at the heart of the building that showcase it’s heritage with high ceilings, Cotswolds stone walls and open fireplace.

Peter Brunt, Director in the Hotels Agency team at Colliers, said: “The Shaven Crown is a truly special property and one that I know exceptionally well.

“I was fortunate to be involved in its sale in both 2013 and 2019 and then acted on the letting of the business in 2023.

“Over that time, I have come to appreciate not only the quality of the building itself, but also the affection in which it is held by guests, local residents and operators alike.

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“Having welcomed travellers for more than six centuries, The Shaven Crown has an extraordinary story behind it.

“We are pleased to have been entrusted once again with its sale and are confident that it will attract buyers who recognise both its commercial potential and its importance as one of the region’s most significant historic inns.”

The landmark hotel and pub was refurbished by previous owners Evelyn and Phil Roberts, who invested £600,000 after they bought the property in 2013 and before they sold it on in 2019.

Previous owners Evelyn and Phil Roberts (Image: Simon Williams)

Originally constructed as a hospice for the monks at nearby Bruern Abbey, the aptly named inn still has many of its original medieval features, including its Tudor door, cobbled floors and period features like mullioned windows.

As a hotel it reportedly once hosted Queen Elizabeth I and wartime fascist leader Oswald Mosley.

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The sales agent added that ‘substantial investment’ has been made to revamp the fabric of the property, like its roof and building infrastructure, to preserve its historic character while enabling its future use as a hospitality destination.

The Shaven Crown’s bar seats about 30, with beamed ceiling and fireplace, a snug for around five or six guests and a breakfast room seating 12 to 18 diners.

It’s accommodation offers guests easy access to the Cotswolds, to favoured destinations such as Burford, Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water and The Slaughters, while Oxford, Cheltenham, Stratford-upon-Avon and Cirencester are all within comfortable travelling distance.

PEXA has published research showing that 95% of recent UK homebuyers faced unexpected costs when moving home, highlighting growing uncertainty in the buying process.

The survey covered 1,050 UK homeowners who had moved in the previous 12 months and was supplemented by analysis of 34,207 homebuyer transactions. It found that 83% of respondents described the process as stressful, while the share reporting unexpected costs rose sharply from 62% in 2025 to 95%.

Just under two-thirds of those who faced extra charges said the costs were significant, and nearly half believed they could have been avoided.

The data suggests buyers are concerned not only about the size of the bill, but also about when costs emerge and how little visibility they have over the transaction. Respondents said they expected the period from offer acceptance to moving in to take around four months, but broader market data cited by PEXA indicates the full journey often lasts seven to eight months.

Cost pressure

Unexpected costs stood out even though many buyers said they understood the fees charged by the professionals involved in a transaction. The research found that 85% said conveyancer fees were transparent, compared with 79% for estate agent fees and 69% for mortgage broker fees.

The gap between fee transparency and overall surprise points to a wider structural problem. Costs may be visible in isolation, but buyers still face a process in which delays, repeated checks and fragmented communication can create extra expense as a purchase unfolds.

The study comes as the Government pushes ahead with its Home Buying and Selling Reform Roadmap, intended to improve how information moves across property transactions. Industry groups have increasingly focused on reducing duplication, improving access to verified information and cutting the uncertainty that can build as a sale progresses.

PEXA, which began in Australia and now operates in the UK, has been expanding its role in the British market. The group launched a refinancing product in the UK before introducing its sale and purchase offering.

Industry response

Krystle Kocik outlined the company’s view of the findings.

“Buying a home should be exciting, yet too many people are left dealing with unexpected costs and a lack of visibility over what’s happening and when. Our research suggests that improving certainty, not just speed, should be the defining objective of the next generation of UK property transactions, and will benefit estate agents, mortgage brokers, lenders and conveyancers. Achieving this certainty depends not only on better information, but on ensuring trusted property data, verified identities, the secure movement of funds and the transfer of legal ownership are connected throughout the transaction. As government and industry work together to modernise the process, we see a significant opportunity to remove surprises and give consumers more confidence in what is likely the biggest financial commitment of their lives,” said Krystle Kocik, UK co-CEO of PEXA.

Other industry bodies said the figures reflect concerns already being raised across the market.

“This report reinforces what our mortgage lender members are already telling us: uncertainty, not speed, is the real barrier to confidence, and better upfront information, reusable verified data and clearer visibility across the transaction are what will shift that. UK Finance is working with government, regulators and industry to ensure this momentum translates into a genuinely more connected homebuying experience, and this report is a helpful contribution to the discussion,” said Alison Verlander, director of mortgages at UK Finance.

Conveyancers, who remain central to property transactions, also pointed to pressure for clearer communication alongside legal due diligence.

“Conveyancers are central to helping people navigate one of life’s most important decisions, ensuring that the property they are buying is right for them and that there are no hidden problems. This research shows consumers continue to value professional expertise, while also expecting clearer communication, greater transparency and a more predictable experience. A modern conveyancing profession will combine legal expertise with efficient digital processes to deliver better outcomes for consumers,” said Stephen Ward, director of strategy and external relations at the Council for Licenced Conveyancers.

The debate over reform also extends to the use of data and digital identity across the property chain. Supporters argue that if buyers, sellers, lenders and legal representatives can rely on information that is verified once and shared securely, repeated requests and late-stage surprises could be reduced.

“This research reinforces that consumers are ready for a property market built around trusted, shareable data rather than repeated requests for the same information. As Smart Data, digital identity and trust frameworks become more widely adopted, buyers will benefit from greater certainty, fewer surprises and increased confidence throughout the home-moving journey,” said Maria Harris, chair of the Open Property Data Association.

“Consumers are asking for a homebuying process that is more connected, transparent and trustworthy. Government, regulators and industry are working together to enable trusted information to move safely between organisations, reducing friction while improving consumer outcomes. Success will be measured not simply by how digital the process becomes, but by how much certainty, confidence and efficiency it delivers for everyone involved,” said Leon Ifayemi, director of coalitions and research at the Centre for Finance, Innovation & Technology.

A customer notice was put up in the Your Co-op Food store in the town’s Queensway Centre earlier this week to warn shoppers of the upcoming closure.

The shop is set to be shut for five days from Sunday, August 9 at 10pm, reopening on Friday, August 14 at midday.

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The notice said: “We are making exciting improvements to the store.

“As a result, this store will temporarily close on Sunday, August 9 at 10pm and will re-open on Friday, August 14 at midday.

“Thank you for your understanding.”

Other nearby Co-op Food stores include one in Ruscote Arcade, Longelandes Way, and another in Chatsworth Drive, Cherwell Heights.