Home > Essex > Loughton > Royal Oak Royal Oak
Picture source: Hania Franek
The Royal Oak was situated at 148 Forest Road. This pub closed in 2014. It was designed by Arthur Dixon, a friend of William Morris of the British Arts & Crafts movement. Now extended and converted to flats, houses have been built on the land at the rear once occupied by stables.
Source: Colin Price
Local newspaper review by John Cutting, 1966
The Royal Oak in Forest-road, Loughton, has little claim to antiquity and certainly can boast no connection with the monarch who, history relates, once sought sanctuary in the branches of an oak tree. There is, however, a grand example of an old English oak in Smarts-lane adjacent to where the original building once stood. The present inn was built about 60 years ago and was designed to cater for the picnickers and trippers who travelled from London to spend a day in Epping Forest. Times have now changed and Loughton is no longer a village and ante-room to the forest. The present landlord, Bill Summers, has carried out extensive alteration and where once there was a large tearoom and five separate bars there is now one comfortable saloon. It is impossible not to be impressed by the interior of the Royal Oak. The excellent Persian carpet and well-placed mirror wall emphasise the delightful panelling on the walls and the lamp fittings highlight a wonderful display of swords and fire-arms. The collection of these weapons has been a hobby of the landlord for many years. Attached to the walls there are officers’ swords which saw service in some of the bloody battles in the Crimea. Far more decorative is an Italian state sword which could never be used in anger but which was once presented by Mussolini to a mayor of a good Fascist community for services rendered. The number of these swords was limited to 120, so this specimen must be very valuable. There are also Napoleonic trench swords, which look frighteningly effective with their serrated blades, and a Bow-street Runner’s cutlass. Among the fire-arms is a rifle which was presented to an ancestor of the landlord when he was appointed the first British Commissioner to a region in the Atlas Mountains. To ensure that he was accepted by the wild tribesmen, he was given the gun as a token to show that he was a tribal member. Since Bill Summers took over the Royal Oak five years ago, he has specialised in the sale of spirits and now has in stock 77 brands of whisky, 63 varieties of liqueurs, and 33 different brandies. There is indeed here a delightful treat for the connoisseur and it is the landlord’s intention to widen the range even more. In spite of the efforts that have been made during the past decade to foist keg beer on the public there is still an increasing demand for draught beer at the Royal Oak. As a member of the Society for the Preservation of Beers from the Wood, all inns which serve draught beer from a barrel have my enthusiastic support! Among a number of customers who have drunk at the Royal Oak for a number of years, there is one who is still using the same glass which was presented to him by the landlady in December, 1925. Catering is organised by Pauline Summers and hot meals are always available at lunch times in addition to a wide range of sandwiches and snacks, and a comprehensive cold buffet is served every evening. One fascinating exhibit over the bar is a pair of Spanish picas, delightfully decorated but blatantly cruel. For those to whom Spain means sunshine and grapes rather than bull-fighting, there is at the Royal Oak some excellent draught sherry. With Napoleonic trench swords in mind, it is possible to visualise the scene painted by the poet when she wrote:— One sleeps where Southern vines are dressed Above the noble slain; He wrapt his colours round his breast On a blood-red field of Spain.
Brewers: Whitbread & Co. Ltd
Do you have any anecdotes, historical information, updates or photos of this pub? Become a contributor by submitting them here. You can add your email contact details along with other ex-customers and landlords of this pub here.
Other Photos
Date of photo: 2020	Picture source: Jane Manley