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The Royal Oak Public House, Barton-le-Clay

The Royal Oak Public House: Bedford Road, Barton-le-Clay

The Royal Oak is a large late 17th century two storey building located on Bedford Road. Its deeds are located at Hertfordshire County Record Office [ref: DE/Sb/T101] as its pub was owned by the Simpsons Brewery of Baldock. The pub was Grade II listed on 14th March 1975. The pub remains open as of writing [2025].

The pub was Grade II listed on 14th March 1975 and was described as follows: 

"Large late C17 house. Red and vitreous brick, old clay tile roof. Integral gable end stacks. Two storeys and attics. One ground floor and 5 first floor casements with gauged brick heads. Front elevation has first floor storey band, east side elevation has bands at first and second floor levels. Modern rear extension."

Licensees: note that this is not a complete list and that dates in italics are not necessarily beginning or end dates, merely the first/last date which can be confirmed from sources such as directories and deeds.

  • 1856 – Samuel Brasier
  • 1864 - 1882 – William Page
  • 1882 - 1891 – Edward Cain
  • 1891 - 1934 – George Roberts
  • 1936 - 1940 – Frederick James Brazier

List of sources at Bedfordshire Archives: 

  • Z1169/8/5/1-2: Architects drawings of The Royal Oak, 1953
  • FSD/BI/Box 80: Building Inspection file, 1974.
  • Z402/11/4: (2) Notes on Barton public houses from CRO source, 1981