A Pub With A Story To Tell
The Plough Inn · Finstock, Oxfordshire
For more than 200 years, The Plough has stood at the bottom of Finstock High Street, welcoming villagers, travellers, friends and families through its doors.
Our story begins in the 18th century, when this little limestone building was still a modest home. Since then, it has been an alehouse, a village meeting place, a tied house, a free house and, today, a family-run pub, restaurant and place to stay.
A lot has changed over the years. But the important things haven't.
There's still a warm welcome, good food, a well-stocked bar and a reason to linger a little longer.
And we're proud to be part of the next chapter.
Where It All Began
A little house with a long future
The building we now know as The Plough dates back to 1772, when it was a modest limestone house with two main rooms and a central passage.
It was built as a home, probably for a husbandman — essentially a small farmer — and some of its earliest features remain today. The original left-hand room contained an inglenook fireplace, a reminder of a time when the fireplace was quite literally the heart of the home.
But it wasn't a home for long.
Within just five years, The Plough was already being used as an alehouse. In September 1777, an auction for Home Farm was advertised as taking place at The Plough, with William Harris recorded as the proprietor.
So, while 1772 marks the date of the building itself, its story as a place where people came together began soon afterwards.
And that is something that has remained remarkably consistent ever since.
The Plough Through The Years
1772 — The building begins its story
The date 1772 is carved into the stone above the entrance, marking the construction of the original house.
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1777 — An alehouse at The Bottom
Just five years later, records show the building being used as an alehouse, with William Harris as proprietor. An auction for Home Farm was held here that September.
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1780 — One of Finstock's licensed premises
The Victoria County History of Oxfordshire records The Plough as probably being one of the two premises licensed in Finstock in 1780.
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1821 — A new chapter
St John's College, Oxford sold The Plough to William Hall, who had also acquired the Swan's Nest Brewery in Oxford. The Plough subsequently became a tied house, supplied by the brewery.
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1863 — More than just a pub
The Finstock Independent Benefit Friendly Society was formed, with its registered office at The Plough. Monthly meetings were held here, turning the pub into something of a village clubhouse.
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1874–1897 — The Archer & Bowerman years
The latter part of the 19th century saw Ann Archer and later her husband Jason Bowerman closely associated with The Plough. Following Jason's death, Ann returned to the role of licensed victualler before marrying Lewis Pratley in 1883. Her association with the pub ended with her death in 1897.
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1926 — Brewing changes
The brewery that had owned The Plough eventually became part of the wider consolidation of the brewing industry, with Halls Oxford Brewery being taken over by Allsopps in 1926.
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1970s — Back into private hands
After many decades connected with the brewing trade, The Plough was sold into private ownership in the 1970s.
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1986 — A listed building
The Plough was officially Grade II listed in June 1986, recognising the special architectural and historic interest of the building.
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2013 — A new chapter
In July 2013, Guy and Jordan Wallis took over The Plough, beginning the current chapter in its long history.
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Today — The story continues
More than two centuries after the building first appeared at The Bottom, The Plough remains a village pub at heart — now serving food, drinks and stays to locals and visitors exploring Finstock and the surrounding Cotswolds.
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1777 - 1799 - William Harris
? - Margaret Bowerman
Before April 1804 - Richard Cooper
April 1804 - John Stayt of Bledington, Glos.
April 1805 - George Watson
July 1808 - Thomas Davis of Milton-under-Wychwood, a maltster
March 1812 - Isaac Newton Lawrence of Witney, a brewer
23rd April 1821 - William Hall
9th May 1824 - Thomas Johnson, owned by Esquire Hall
1839 - John Hawkins, owned by Esquire Hall
1841 - 1874 - Alfred Eeles
1871 - Ann Archer
1874 -1880 - Jason Bowerman, and Ann (nee Archer)
1880 - 1883 - Ann Bowerman
1883 - 1897 - Lewis Pratley, and Ann (nee Bowerman)
1899 - 1920 - Walter Benfield Victualler
1931 - 1939 - Albert Langford
1939 - 1953 - Harold Langford and others
1953 – 1975? - Sidney Langford
1967 - 1982 - Philip Cooper
1982 - Dave Keetch
1983 - Mike Clarges
1984 - John Lambert
1985 - Moffatt
1986 - 1996 - John and Val Baxter
1996 - Nov. 2004 - Keith and Nigel Ewers
Nov. 2004 - Nov. 2005 - Darrell Lord and Louis Burridge
Nov. 2005 - Jul. 2013 - Joe McCorry and Martin Range
Jul. 2013 - present - Guy and Jordan Wallis
Come and be part of the story
Whether you're joining us for lunch, settling in for a drink, staying for the weekend or simply passing through Finstock, we'd love to welcome you to The Plough.
After all, every visit becomes part of the story.
