The Bear is Back!!!
Come up to Cumnor, Check us out!

After a seemingly lengthy period of hibernation, the Bear and Ragged Staff has emerged once again into the bright light of day and is already making waves as part of its effort to reclaim its place at the top of the tree on the Oxford Pub and Restaurant Scene.

In late 2008, a group led by Mark Greenwood, acquired the tenancy of the Bear from the previous owners. As Mark explains, it was not that difficult to immediately identify the enormous possibilities at the Bear. With a recently renovated restaurant facility backed up by a first class modern trade kitchen, it seemed the perfect place to have a comfortable meal with friends. In addition to the restaurant, at the front of the building, there is a three sectioned pub which is the oldest part of the building. Records date back to the early sixteenth century during the reign of Henry VIII, when the property was owned by St. John's College.

The Bear has had a rich history. Though it is best known these days a pub and restaurant, has doubled up in the past as Army billets during the Civil war, when Richard Cromwell, Son of Oliver, is supposed to have resided here. If local rumour is to be believed, the chiseled out wood in the lintel above the fire place in the main bar is believed to have to have been the Royal Crest, which was removed during the stand-off in Oxfordshire between Charles 1 and the Parliamentarians by none other than Richard Cromwell himself during his stay here, when the property functioned as a "gentleman's residence". Not particularly gentlemanly behaviour, but I suppose after three and a half centuries, we should probably forgive and forget!

Surprisingly, The Bear has only operated as a pub since the middle of the nineteenth century. It took the name from an older hostelry , known as "The Black Bear" which is believed to have been destroyed by fire a few years earlier. The emblem of the Bear and Ragged Staff is inextricably linked with Warwickshire, where it is the coat of arms of the county, and also with the family of the Earls of Warwick who have used the same motif for at least 500 years.

The setting of the pub in a beautiful old Oxfordshire village in rolling countryside has inspired the recent makeover of the food offering. The area is surrounded by woods and farmland. The local fields heave with wildlife such as pheasant, partridge, deer, muntjack, rabbit and pigeon to name just a few. Upon taking over, the first task in the kitchen was the removal of the half dozen microwaves and nearly all the freezer cabinets. Everything at the Bear is now cooked with fresh ingredients.

Our menu changes every three months or so as we seek to offer what is best in season at the time. These menus are complimented in the evening by Recommendations from our kitchen team led by Head Chef Becky Joy. The cornucopia of wildlife that is available locally is well represented when in season. Our food could be best described as hearty, country style cooking. Game, casseroles, steaks and pub classics will be always be found on a menu at the Bear and Ragged Staff, always cooked with local ingredients wherever possible. For those among you who enjoy your comfort food, pub favourites, such as fish and chips, pies or gammon steak, the good news is that these will be found at the Bear the year round.

The pub is a haven for little ones. A traditional Bear welcome will await any child that steps over the threshold. During the summer we will have our picnic garden available for use. Our gardener, Luke, is already planning herb gardens and herbaceous borders. There is a play area for the children to sharpen their acrobatic skills. Please be assured that all junior visitors to the Bear will be fed well. In addition to a wide range of Junior Favourites, nearly all the items on the main menu are available for children at special prices.

So in a nutshell, the changes amount to more Bear and better Bear. The exterior of our home is just as stunning as it ever was and we will be aiming to provide a quality offering of food and beverage at sensible prices that suit all budgets and all members of the family. Whatever the occasion, we will be able to cater for it. Feel free to contact us, or even better, drop by and talk it over with us.