The Hare at Milton-under-Wychwood has undergone a remarkable transformation from its roots as a traditional village local to become one of the Cotswolds’ most celebrated gastropubs.
Originally known as The Quart Pot, the pub was a long-standing community establishment operated under Greene King Brewery.
The building closed around 2011 when plans to convert it into residential accommodation were proposed.
However, West Oxfordshire District Council refused planning permission in 2012, preserving the possibility of the building returning to pub use.
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The Hare in Milton-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire. (Image: Newsquest)
Local aunt and niece entrepreneurs Sue and Rachel Hawkins purchased the empty property in 2015, renovated the building, and reopened it in March 2016 as The Hare.
In 2020, the pub was taken over by experienced hospitality operators Matt and Katie Beamish, who already owned the nearby Kingham Plough.
The pair sympathetically renovated the interior and exterior, creating stylish dining spaces whilst maintaining the pub’s historic character.
Under head chef Mr Matt Dare, originally from Cornwall, The Hare has built a compelling reputation for its daily seafood specials board, featuring fresh deliveries from Devon.
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The Scotch egg. (Image: Newsquest)
It now operates as part of a small group alongside sister establishments The Kingham Plough and The Crown at Enstone.
The pub’s reputation for quality has continued to grow under the Beamishes’ ownership, with diners travelling from across the region to sample Mr Dare’s inventive approach to traditional pub fare.
Daily specials showcase the freshest seasonal produce, with particular attention paid to sustainable seafood sourcing.
The Hare’s latest bold addition to its menu is the Fruit de Mer platter, a celebration of the Cornish coast, which is designed for two to share.
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The calamari. (Image: Newsquest)
It features Porthilly Rock oysters with mignonette, native Cornish lobster, Perrin Sands whole dressed crab, St Austell Bay mussels, crevettes and pink prawns, all served with fresh lemon, shallot and red wine vinegar, and classic aioli.
Everything is responsibly sourced from Cornwall and delivered ship-to-plate within 48 hours, ensuring exceptional freshness throughout.
For starters, we ordered a scotch egg and the calamari to share, with the former being crispy on the outside, housing a seasoned sausage layer within, while the egg was soft inside.
The calamari was tender, soft to the bite, and the batter was light but crunchy. Both starters were delicious and comforting on a rainy day in the Cotswolds.
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(Image: Newsquest)
Presented on a bed of fresh seaweed, the platter came with a choice of red and green pepper tobasco and a sharp shallot dressing.
The seafood was served cold, which preserved the sweetness and freshness of the Cornish Lobster quite well, keeping it refined and wonderfully uncomplicated.
Well-cooked, tender and fragrant, the mussels were full of the fresh, clean flavour of the sea.
Luxuriously presented, the oysters paired beautifully with the shallot vinegar, which brought out their delicate brine flavour.
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The crumble for dessert. (Image: Newsquest)
Served with a smile, the platter definitely wowed the whole room upon its extravagant arrival, before we had a zingy rhubarb crumble to finish.
The Hare’s daily-changing seafood menu is at the heart of the offering, shaped entirely by what lands fresh from Cornish day boats via Flying Fish, and championing seasonal, responsibly sourced British ingredients.
Priced at £95, the platter is available for a 72-hour pre-order via phone on 07395 774383.
The pub is open Monday to Saturday from noon to 2.30pm and 6pm to 9pm, and on Sundays from 12pm to 8pm, with the bar menu served all day.
