10th June 2026
The Black Horse in Thame has officially reopened its doors following a transformative refurbishment, as part of Heartwood Collection’s recently announced £1.5 million investment across five of its much-loved pubs.
Having closed on 11th May 2026, The Black Horse welcomed guests back on 4th June, unveiling refreshed interiors and a revitalised outdoor garden designed to enhance the pub’s role as a cherished local destination, led by General Manager Zach Leach.
Guests can now enjoy a beautifully updated setting featuring refreshed décor, new soft furnishings and refreshed signage. The reimagined garden has also been enhanced with stylish new furniture and thoughtful planting. While the pub retains its distinctive character and heritage features, the enhancements reflect Heartwood Inns’ signature style, warm, welcoming and full of personality.
To celebrate the reopening, guests were treated to a day of festivities including horse and carriage rides in a nod to the pub's namesake, alongside live music from a jazz duo, creating a memorable welcome back for the local community.
The reopening also coincides with Heartwood’s new “Reasons to Visit” campaign, launched at the start of the year, which introduced an expanded programme of events and experiences throughout the week. From steak nights and quiz evenings to seasonal celebrations and games nights, The Black Horse is now set to offer even more reasons for the community to come together.
Guests can once again enjoy Heartwood’s seasonally changing menus, currently featuring Heartwood’s fresh Spring menu, created using ethically sourced ingredients and aligned with the group’s three-star Sustainable Restaurant Association rating.
Zach Leach, General Manager of The Black Horse, said: "We’re delighted to have welcomed guests back through our doors and to share the results of this fantastic refurbishment with the community. The reopening day was a wonderful celebration, with horse and carriage rides, live jazz and so many familiar faces joining us throughout the day. We’re so excited to be stepping into a new era of The Black Horse."
The Black Horse now stands ready to continue its role as a vibrant hub for Thame, bringing people together over great food, drink and memorable experiences in a beautifully renewed setting.
