A pub has reopened with new owners who joked 25 years ago about buying the historic watering hole.
Having been on sale earlier this year, The Three Tuns in Market Place, Henley, has been restored and reopened just in time for summer.
Restaurateur Nigel Sutcliffe and Henley butcher Barry Wagner have now taken on the 14th century pub.
The reopening of The Three Tuns marks a new chapter for one of Henley’s oldest pubs.
Parts of the Grade II listed building date back as far as 1385 and it is thought to have had several uses before becoming a public house by the 16th century.
Seats are available for just 34 customers – with a pub spokesman saying it feels like you’re “cocooned” in an historic tavern.
The spokesman said: “Working with the existing finishes of dark oak beams, red brick, terracotta tile, and copper, a restrained colour palette to walls and woodwork has served to highlight the building’s historical features and charm.
“Simple yet comfortable furniture in a mix of styles that speaks to the traditional context has been specially selected to create a harmonious feel and keep the space open.”
Round the back is a spacious walled courtyard with bistro chairs and tables along with The Boatshed which offers barbecue food.
Meat for The Three Tuns is provided by the butcher’s shop next door Gabriel Machin – owned by new pub owner Barry.
Meals include a pork chop with braised white beans and gremolata, and lamb cutlets with crisp house salad and new potatoes.
The pub is also offering a variety of steak cuts bavette right through to a 28oz côte du boeuf all served with béarnaise or gremolata, wild rocket and fries as well as joints.
The Three Tuns takes its name from the 252 gallon barrel traditionally used to store and transport beer and wine.
And that means that regular rotating house ales alongside lagers, IPAs and ciders are being sold at the pub.
English sparkling wines come from vineyards in Sussex and Hampshire alongside other wines from across the world.
Pub bosses recommend the 2022 Côtes du Jura Chardonnay from Rijckaert and the 2021 Morgon Côte du Py from Javernière.
The spokesman added: “Bringing together the best of seasonal produce, attentive service, and local camaraderie in a true olde English pub setting, The Three Tuns is the kind of local everyone wants and Henley considers itself lucky to have.”
