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Chapel Lane, BAMPTON, OX18 2JT

Bampton has three morris dancing sides. However, they are based in the Horseshoe Inn.

Bampton has three morris dancing sides. However, they are based in the Horseshoe Inn.

Heading from Buckland Road towards the town centre.

The pub sign on the left side of the road is for the Morris Clown.

Early/mid C18 front range, altered early C19 and C20, with late C18 and C19 rear wing and C20 extensions in rear angle. Coursed rubble limestone with stone slate roof and flanking rubble chimneys, both rebuilt C20. Original L-plan range with stair in rear bay. 2 storeys and attic, 2 bays. Front has 4-pane sashes with rendered lintels, and blind window to first floor centre. 2 small gabled roof dormers with 2-light wooden casements. Some traces of pre 1800 fenestration are visible, with wooden lintels. Central 6-panelled door with semi-circular stone step and wooden surround. Surround has pilasters and glazed frieze panel, and incorporates fine C18 carved scroll brackets and shell hood with plaster ornament of fruit and flowers. Right side of house has tall stair sash with semi-circular head and thick glazing bars, re-sited C20 from original position in rear wall and C20 extensions with parapets and sashes. Left side of house has C20 bay window to gable end of front wing, and C18/C19 rear wing of several builds, with one bay of 5-pane sashes, and other irregular casements and doors. Interior: fine early/mid C19 staircase with column-on-vase balusters, 3 per tread, scroll tread ends, ramped moulded handrail, and newel columns with acorn pendants; panelling in front bay of rear wing, with fireplace surround and arched niches is in C18 style but may well date back only to 1911; old doors; vaulted cellar to far bay. (Source: Historic England)

2010 Good Beer Guide-listed pub on High Street. Internally, straight bar at back, with drinking area to front. Open fireplaces, low ceilings, Toulouse Lautrec-inspired murals, and naturally, a good selection of cask ales. Darts, bar billiards and Aunt Sally played. The notice on the side wall reads "Grooming, posting house, livery stable". For some customer comments, see http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/27/27464/Morris_Clown/Bampton

An old coaching inn, which years ago was called the New Inn. It prides itself on not doing food but does carry a wide range of real ales. A combination that is increasingly rare in rural areas. Image

The small town of Bampton has a long tradition of Morris dancing which is known to stretch back to the late 18th century, and probably much older. Today there are three groups in the town. One of them, the Bampton Morris Men, was based here but has now gone elsewhere. This former connection may be why the pub's name was changed from the New Inn to its present one. The clown or fool is a common participant in a morris dance. Image