Pictures: First look at refurbished Aylesbury Vale pub which reopens under historic Crooked Billet name

The pub, a historic coaching inn in Kingswood, closed as The Ackeman Inn in September for refurbishment. Having served locals for over 300 years, it has undergone a stylish renovation to enhance and restore its original character with a rebrand and name change.

The pub's history dates back to the 17th century, when it served as a coaching stop on Akeman Street, the old Roman road running west towards Cirencester and Bath. It’s old name ‘Crooked Billet’ has been used for most of the pub's history, with the rebranding bringing back the pub's original name and character. The Crooked Billet was a common inn sign for centuries, and a fitting one for a pub on the edge of Bernwood, once a royal hunting forest thick with timber. (A ‘billet’ is simply a length of firewood, and a ‘crooked billet’ is a bent one).

The refurbishment is part of a wider initiative by Acorn Pubs, which acquired the premises with a view to improving the overall experience for patrons.

It has now been restored with care, keeping the original features and character that has drawn people in for generations. The log fire is lit for the winter, and the gardens will come into their own when the warmer months come round.

The owners say every Acorn pub is individual, but all share the same idea of what makes a ‘proper pub’: a characterful building with a warm welcome, a good range of beers, freshly cooked food, affordable wine and friendly service.

In the kitchen, dishes come from the grill and the wood-fired oven. They range from seasonal pub favourites to handmade pizza, with a good choice of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options and a roast every Sunday.

The bar is stocked with real ales, craft beers and a carefully chosen list of wines, including a few bottles from the Rothschild family, whose Waddesdon estate is close by.

The pub is also well placed for a day out. Waddesdon Manor is five minutes down the road, which makes the pub handy for lunch or dinner after a visit. Bicester Village is around 15 minutes away for anyone who fancies pairing lunch with a spot of shopping, and the market town of Aylesbury is in the opposite direction.

Operations Manager Ian Slater said: “It’s a building with a lot of history, and it’s been a pleasure breathing fresh life into it. Landlord Nathan Allen and the crew are looking forward to seeing what our customers, new and old, make of the changes. We’re opening on Bonfire Night, but we’ll leave the fireworks to everyone else and stick to a pint by the fire.”

You can find out more and book a table here