The Royal Standard of England

The Royal Standard of England 

Pub of the Year 2009

Historic Alehouse hidden between Beaconsfield and Penn

The Oldest Freehouse in England

"The pub is the hub" says Prince Charles

Right in the middle of what "London via my iPhone" will consider the country side and not far  away from Central London is this beautiful 900 years old freehouse

nice terrace - in the back with a beautiful view

plenty of space sit outside 

loved the entrance door

the sign over the doorway bears the well-known legend:

'Drunk for a penny 

Dead drunk for two pennies

Clean straw for nothing'

fancy a quiz night? 

this Alehouse permits...

tradition is...

view from inside towards the sunny outside

the decor of the freehouse makes you feel you are at home

filled with a bunch of friendly damsels and squires

At the beginning of the 18th Century the pub  was a very different place from what it is today. 

Most alehouses or inns such as The Royal Standard of England had their back or upper rooms, where in the smoky sweaty candle-lit atmosphere whoring and drinking and gambling went on all night. 

The quantity of spirits consumed in these taverns was enormous. 

furniture donations are welcome 

 nice comfortable tables here and

chairs from long ago

or a chair like this one...can you imagine how many people sat in it..

 a scene from another time ...

interesting knight armour

view from the bar

view of the bar on the other side...

'Here's to all those that I love.

Here's to all those that love me.

And here's to all those that love those that I love, 

And all those that love those that love me'

OR

'Here's to the men of all classes, 

Who through lasses and glasses

Will make themselves asses!'

interesting small door behind which you will find maybe one of the oldest friend or patron of the freehouse...

hat still on...

jargon from the time is still used for the loos..

I have  had the pleasure of being here twice and the food is just out of this world

Blackboard with the daily wild game specials

Pan fried trout with  prawn caper butter accompanied by the most amazing crunchy sauteed potatoes 

braised quail stuffed with forcemeat with red cabbage and mash

After the meal nothing better than following the trail of..

The Royal Standard of England Pub Walk

on my way out...

walked through the other side of the terrace

starting the walk...

amazing view of the country side 

Historical Fact:

'Our ancestors drank from their defeated enemies' skulls'

the road heading back to London...

Will be back soon...maybe this time for a Sunday Roast