The hub of the village

The Barley Mow in Upper Heyford has been at the heart of village life for well over a century and is now the village's only remaining public house.

Early history

Although the exact date the pub was established is uncertain, historical records show that:

• By 1887, Upper Heyford had two pubs: the Three Horse Shoes and the Barley Mow.
• The Three Horse Shoes had existed since at least 1784, but eventually closed and became a private house.
• The Barley Mow survived and is now the only pub remaining in the village.

RAF Upper Heyford years

The pub's fortunes became closely linked with nearby RAF Upper Heyford. During the Second World War, the airfield was an important RAF bomber station. From the 1960s until its closure in 1994, it became one of the largest United States Air Force bases in Europe. The Barley Mow became a popular meeting place for RAF personnel, American servicemen, local residents and visitors.

One of the pub's most dramatic moments came in September 1992, when a USAF aircraft crashed while attempting to return to the airfield. The landlord later recalled the building shaking as the aircraft crossed the road before crashing inside the base perimeter. The pilots sacrificed themselves by steering away from the village, and a memorial now stands in the village cemetery.

Modern era

Following the closure of RAF Upper Heyford, the former base has been transformed into Heyford Park, one of Oxfordshire's largest new residential developments, bringing thousands of new residents into the area.

The Barley Mow has evolved from a traditional village local into both a community hub and destination pub, benefiting from this growing population while retaining its historic character. It remains known for:

• Traditional real ales
• Home-cooked food
• Monthly quiz nights
• Folk music evenings
• A large beer garden
• An Aunt Sally pitch, preserving a traditional Oxfordshire pub game

Recent refurbishment

In 2024, the pub's bar area was refurbished while maintaining its traditional feel. Today it continues to operate as a community-focused village pub serving food on selected evenings and hosting regular local events.