A WEST Oxfordshire pub believed to be one of the oldest inns in England has gone on sale for £1.1m.

The Shaven Crown in Shipton-under-Wychwood, believed to have been licensed as long ago as 1384, is on the market with Colliers International following an extensive refurbishment.

Current owners Evelyn and Phil Roberts, who bought the pub and hotel in 2013, invested £600,000 in a major revamp but said running the business had taken a far greater toll than they had imagined on family life.

Now they are offering someone else the chance to run the historic hostelry.

Peter Brunt, a director with Colliers International’s Hotels team, said the Shaven Crown was an ‘oven ready’ business 'in the heart of the perennially-popular Cotswolds'.

He went on: “With good trade from locals, business and tourists, the Shaven Crown is ideally situated in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, attracting visitors all year round.

“Situated at Shipton-under-Wychwood between Chipping Norton and Burford, the inn makes an ideal base to explore the popular villages of Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water and the Slaughters. Cheltenham, Oxford, Cirencester and Banbury are a little further afield.”

Originally constructed as a hospice for the monks at nearby Bruern Abbey, the aptly named hotel/ inn still has many of its original medieval features, including the former great hall, which now serves as a lounge.

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

The Grade II* listed building has an entrance porch complete with Tudor door, cobbled floors and heavy timber doors opening in to the great hall, which has many period features including mullion windows, heavy beamed ceiling and staircase to the seven bedrooms.

Mr Brunt went on: “In addition, the owners can enjoy delightful three-bedroom accommodation of their own in a wing at the back of the hotel, which is completely private. It could also provide a non-resident owner with an excellent self-catering let.”

The 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.