Contractors have been working at The White Horse on the corner of Spring Road and Ock Street, and the pub reopened on Thursday.

The Greene King pub shut on April 4 so that work could get under way.

READ MORE: Convenience store given one-star food hygiene rating

Sean and Kitty Devey, the new managers and their staff team, were rushed off their feet at the weekend.

With the sun coming out on Saturday afternoon, the pub was packed in the garden and busy inside with drinkers watching rugby and football on the big screens.

Kitty said: “It’s been really busy since we opened and we’re glad to see so many customers.

“People have told us they like the pub’s new look.”

Inside The White Horse in Abingdon (Image: Andy Ffrench)

New seating and a fresh new blue and yellow colour scheme have been added inside.

Other improvements include a ‘face-lift’ for the toilets, a new darts and bar area, and a redesign for the beer garden – including a new TV screen to show sports.

Greene King had been advertising for a new team to take over the management of the pub.

A view of the pub garden at The White Horse (Image: Andy Ffrench)

It said in an advert at the end of last year: “Pub managers of Oxfordshire, looking to run your own show?

“The White Horse, Abingdon is becoming a Hive franchise pub.

“We’re looking for someone to front the business, who is community minded, passionate about great hospitality and who can keep the guests coming back for more.

“A Hive Pub franchise offers you: the chance to be your own boss, and lower operational costs than a tenancy model.

Inside The White Horse in Abingdon (Image: Andy Ffrench)

“As a franchisee, Greene King will offer you: a comprehensive induction programme, a fully refurbished pub, that’s ready to trade, we’ll even cover most of the operational costs.”

The White Horse is believed to date back to 1845.

In 1999, Greene King became the new owners and extended the Grade II listed building to provide dining areas.

It was back to the 1940s at the rail heritage centre when a team of actors dressed up in period costumes to bring back memories of the Second World War.

Hundreds of visitors enjoyed watching the actors at the visitor centre next to Didcot Parkway over the Bank Holiday weekend.

READ MORE: Controversial transport boss stands down

Wartime re-enactors at Didcot Railway Centre (Image: Frank Dumbleton)

Wartime re-enactors at Didcot Railway Centre (Image: Frank Dumbleton)

Frank Dumbleton, a volunteer at the centre who is also a photographer, said: “It was great fun at the railway centre over the Bank Holiday weekend with the Steam Into the 40s event.

“Hundreds of visitors were entertained by dozens of re-enactors to show what life would have been like on the railways during the Second World War.”

Thousands of steam railway fans visit the centre every year, enjoying the opportunity to ride on the steam trains and visit other attractions, include a cafe, engine shed, shop and museum.

Oxford’s Campaign for Real Ale branch named its best pub of this year as The Crafty Pint Bar in Langdale Court, Witney, which describes itself as a ‘fiercely independent’ craft beer bar.

The Oxford Branch of CAMRA, which covers the whole of Oxfordshire, said picking an overall winner for the coveted title of best of the year was ‘next to impossible’ with the top three narrowed down to The Crafty Pint, The Brewery Tap in Abingdon and The Red Lion in Yarnton.

The Crafty Pint Bar in Witney was named Oxford CAMRA’s Pub of the Year 2026 (Image: Melanie Cassidy)

With 85 people voting, which ‘may be the largest number ever’, according to the organisation, The Crafty Pint Bar came out on top.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire transport boss Andrew Gant standing down

Melanie Cassidy, landlady of the craft beer bar, said: “It was so lovely to see everyone come out and support The Crafty Pint Bar as we received this monumental award, voted by CAMRA members.

Melanie Cassidy receiving the Pub of the Year certificate from an Oxford CAMRA representative (Image: Melanie Cassidy)

“So many friendly faces came to see us and it humbled me to think this space means so much to everyone not just me.

“The beers are one thing and I’m proud of the ever changing selection we offer, but it’s the people, the community, the way everyone welcomes everyone and how new friendships are forged that makes The Crafty Pint Bar what it is.”

Oxford’s CAMRA added that ‘every candidate was someone’s pub of the year’ as each of the venues nominated won votes from members, and commended the ‘excellent’ quality of the contest.