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