The Priory and…? A curious name isn’t it? This isn’t just any pub. This building whispers stories of centuries past. Right here on Grenoble Road in Littlemore stands a Grade II-listed building over 600 years old. It’s a piece of Oxford’s rich history.
The Priory and…? wasn’t always a pub. It started life as part of Littlemore Priory a nunnery founded way back in 1110. Imagine the lives of those nuns. Their daily routines their hopes their dreams. The priory was rebuilt in the mid-1400s. The original structure was replaced by a new building.
Fast forward to 1600. The nunnery had been closed. Cardinal Wolsey ordered its closure. The reason? The nuns were supposedly involved in “lewd and immoral behaviour”. A rather scandalous closure for a religious community. The priory became Minchery Farmhouse. A significant transformation from a nunnery to a farmhouse.
Over time The Priory and…? changed hands. It served many purposes. This pub is an example of a building that has experienced an interesting journey through history. It’s now a place where people gather. For drinks food and conversation. The pub sign still bears that intriguing question mark. It’s a perfect symbol of the mysteries held within these walls. The pub has changed many times. Yet it endures.
So next time you’re in Littlemore near the Oxford United Kassam Stadium stop by The Priory and…? Raise a glass to the building’s history. To the nuns to Cardinal Wolsey and to the enduring spirit of this place. The Priory and…? is more than just a pub. It’s a living testament to Oxford’s past. It stands as a silent observer of the city’s evolution. It truly is a fascinating place to visit.