Prestbury is fortunate to still have two superb traditional pubs. The Royal Oak is a 16th century stone built pub with two bars. The Royal Oak is everything that a village pub should be. It does not have a thatched roof like the Plough Inn but the Royal Oak is still a classic.
Cheltenham Examiner, Wednesday 3rd September 1862. To be sold at auction by James Villar, at the Kings Arms Inn, on Thursday 11th September 1862, at six o’clock in the evening. Lot 3 – The Dwelling House, Shop, Out Offices and Premises, and large garden, situate in Burgage Street, known as the ROYAL OAK INN, now and for many years past, in the occupation of the Proprietor, Mr R. Seabright.
The annual rateable value in 1891 and 1903 is of interest as it was set at just £5.0s.0d., probably the cheapest value of any pub in Gloucestershire. (10 p.m. closing). It was leased to Flowers & Sons of Stratford on Avon but, unusually, in 1903 it was owned by the Stroud Brewery – perhaps Flowers and Stroud Brewery ales were both available.
Cheltenham Examiner, Wednesday 16th October 1907 – A pony in the bar (edit): Alfred Rock, potato merchant was summoned for being drunk on licensed premises, the Royal Oak, Prestbury, on 2nd October. P.C. Hart said he visited the Royal Oak and saw defendant in the bar, leaning against a piano and he was very drunk. A pony, belonging to the defendant, was also in the bar. Mr. Haddock, defending, said: “The customers all laughed at the idea of a pony being brought into the bar.” The bench gave the defendant the benefit of the doubt with no case to prove he was inebriated and dismissed the case. It was suggested that P.C. Hart jumped to the conclusion that the man must be drunk because he indulged in the somewhat unusual joke of taking his small pony into the bar of a public house.
On March 20th 1975 Tom Graveney, ex England, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire cricketer, became landlord of the Royal Oak.
Western Daily Press, Thursday 3rd November 1983 – Graveney calls out last orders: (from Mr. West’s Diary): Bristol-born television sports commentator, former England cricketer Tom Graveney is giving up the pub trade. He has been tenant of the Royal Oak, a charming village pub in Prestbury, on the edge of Cheltenham for nearly nine years, but today he pulls his last pint. Since he became licensee the oak-beamed watering hole has become something of a mecca for cricketing fans from all over the world.
It was essentially a family business run by Tom and his wife, Jackie, and helped for a time by their daughter Becky and son, Tim. But in recent years Tom’s increasing television and radio commitments has meant he has been able to spend less and less time at the pub. Now Tom has decided to pull out altogether, but not with the intention of going out to grass, but rather going into it. Fifty-six year old Tom tells me he has been appointed marketing consultant for a company that products artificial playing surface.
Tom, whose autobiography, The Hearts of Cricket, was published in September, will now work from the family cottage in Winchcombe. Meanwhile, back at the pub, Colin Bassett will continue as manager employed by Whitbread Brewery. He will continue sending off compliments from cricketing fans who mistakenly think he is Tom.
Image: Gloucestershire Echo
Gloucestershire Echo, Monday 14th October 1996 – Plans spark local anger: A bitter row has broken out over plans to alter a pub. Whitbread wants to expand the bar area and build a new kitchen and toilets at the Royal Oak in Prestbury. Neighbours and regulars say the plans will turn the pub in The Burgage into a restaurant, destroy its friendly atmosphere and cause parking problems. They say the Grade II listed building, which dates back to the 16th century and was once run by former England and Gloucestershire cricketer Tom Graveney, should stay as it is. They have formed a group called Keep Our Village Pub in an attempt to get the plans thrown out when they are discussed by Cheltenham Borough Council’s planning committee on Thursday.
Group spokesman Martin Bristol said: “We value the Royal Oak as a pub. We don’t want to see it turned into another steak house. We feel that this would destroy the unique country pub atmosphere there. The Royal Oak has no parking facilities. Customers depend on the road for parking, as do the majority of houses.”
Gloucestershire Echo, 6th June 2006 – Movie Star? There’s one at the pub: Holywood star Sean Bean was in Prestbury yesterday filming his latest movie. Police sealed off the Burgage for six hours as Lord of the Rings actor filmed his latest movie in the beer garden of the Royal Oak. The Sharpe star was joined by a team of 30 camera men, runners, set-designers and producers working on Outlaw.
Public Notices, Cheltenham Borough Council. Planning Application: The Royal Oak Inn, 43 The Burgage, Prestbury – Improvements to skittle alley including provision of a disabled WC, demolition of redundant toilet, reconstruction of service building, restoration of small stone barn and garden works. Dated 10th October 2006.
Gloucestershire Echo, 20th March 2007 – New look pub aims to skittle out opposition: The Royal Oak at Prestbury has undergone a six figure facelift. The £150,000 refurbishment sees state-of-the-art conference facilities, a new skittle alley, garden and landscaped area. Landlord Simon Daws has stumped out the money himself and hopes the renovation will mean the pub will be used as a venue for a range of functions.
He said: “The room, which we have developed, has been fitted out to business standards, as well as offering new conference facilities. We hope these changes will make people think of us when they are booking wedding receptions and parties, as well as business functions.”
A £40,000 new landscaped garden, complete with patio and decking are and umbrella heaters, has also been designed.
Gloucestershire Echo, 19th May 2007 – Festival ale made with spring water: This year’s real ale festival at The Royal Oak will feature a special beer brewed with water from Noverton Spring. Brewer John Breen and licensee Simon Daws collected water from the Prestbury spring a month ago and from it they have created a summer ale to showcase at the festival. The 4.3 per cent beer will be available to taste along with 22 West Country ales at the fifth annual Beer and Sausage Festival at The Royal Oak from 26th to 28th May.
Above – Simon Days pours a pint of beer brewed from local spring water (Image – Gloucestershire Echo)
Gloucestershire Echo, 6th July 2012 – Couple celebrating their purchase of pub freehold: Pub bosses in Cheltenham are raising a glass in celebration after buying the freehold to their business. The Royal Oak in Prestbury is now a freehouse after Simon and Kate Daws purchased the site from Enterprise Inns. The couple have run the premises for 12 years and are delighted to have total control.
Mr Daws said: “The Royal Oak has been a very kind business to us, and we love the pub in every sense of the word. We have such great customers and we owe them a huge vote of thanks for their loyalty over the years. Without that support we simply could not have purchased the pub.
Gloucestershire Echo, 19th January 2015 – Changes wanted at listed pub: A bid to make changes to The Royal Oak Inn in Prestbury will be decided by planning bosses this week. Cheltenham Borough Council’s planning committee meets in the Municipal Ofices on Thursday from 6pm. The Royal Oak, a listed building, wants to put up a new front entrance porch, to replace some windows and to demolish some internal walls. Planning officers have recommended the application be permitted.
Gloucestershire Echo, 18th September 2017 – Popular pub is bought by brewery: Butcombe Brewing Company has bought the Royal Oak in Prestbury. The new acquisition means the Butcombe estate will take on a greater role within The Liberation Group’s range of 106 pubs and inns. Chief executive of the Liberation Group Mark Crowther said: “We are thrilled to welcome the team at the Royal Oak to the Butcombe family.”
Welcome to The Royal Oak, Prestbury
Above images courtesy Chris Amies
Licensing Details:
Owner in 1891: Jane Kitchen (leased Flowers & Sons, Stratford on Avon)
Rateable value in 1891: £5.0s.0d.
Type of licence in 1891: Beerhouse
Owner in 1903: Stroud Brewery Co. (leased Flowers & Sons, Stratford on Avon)
Rateable value in 1903: £5.0s.0d.
Type of licence in 1903: Beerhouse
Closing time in 1903: 10pm
Landlords at the Royal Oak include:
1849 Thomas Turfrey
1891 Edward James Griffin
1902 Alfred Ockwell
1903 Albert Ockwell
1904 Alfred Ockwell (Annuaire)
1906 Arthur Waring
1907-1909 Mr J. Norman (Annuaire)
1910-1912 W.J. Brimfield (Annuaire)
1913-1915 R.E. Prince (Looker-On)
1913-1915 R.E. Prince (Looker-On)
1919 Robert Edward Prince
Cheltenham Chronicle, Saturday 27th July 1929 – Mr Robert Edward Prince of The Blue Bell Inn, Callow End, Worcs, formerly of the Royal Oak, Prestbury, who died on the 30th May last, left a gross estate of the value of £2,857.7s.7d.
1916 Mr. A.O. Greeen (Looker-On) also 1922 (Built-Leonard) and 1928 to 1937 (Kelly’s Directory)
1926,1927 Oscar Green (Oscar A. Green in 1927)
1938-1952 Percy E. Hill (Kelly’s Directories)
1939 Percy Ernest Hill
1954-1975 Les and Beryl Hicks
1975,1978 Tom Graveney
1987 John Jaeger
1988 Roger and Glenis Pritchard
1992 – 1995 Ed Biscoe
1995 (Sept 11th) – Julian Bingham and Diane Jones
2000, 2008 Simon and Kate Daws