The Royal Standard of England

The Royal Standard of England is a traditional pub in Beaconsfield with a rich history. Over its 800-year history, it has served everyone from royalty to highwaymen. It was originally known as ’Se Scip’ (The Ship) in 1213, until Charles II’s restoration to the throne in 1663, after which the inn changed its name to the Royal Standard of England.

History of The Royal Standard of England

Although the first official mention of the pub appears in 1213, the site is said to have been previously used as an alehouse from Saxon times where beer was brewed. During the Norman era, the pub received much of its trade from local tile-makers, whose jobs reportedly included making tiles for Windsor Castle and the Palace of Westminster.

During the 17th century, the pub became a popular meeting place for various groups of royalists, and one story claims that Charles II granted the pub permission to change its name from The Ship to the far grander Royal Standard of England in thanks for the venue allowing his father, Charles I, to hide from danger in its roof space. Some versions of the story say that Charles II’s gratitude to the pub extended even further, as he allegedly met his mistresses in rooms at the top of the building. The pub’s popularity declined in the mid-18th century, but supplying nearby rail workers with a strong, then-illegal ale named ‘Owd Rodger’ helped the venue to become successful once again.

The Royal Standard of England today

The pub’s heritage has not gone unnoticed and today the venue is a hugely popular spot with both locals and tourists keen to get a glimpse of the historical watering hole. It’s not just thirsty customers that frequent the pub; its beams and ancient aesthetic have also caught the eye of figures in the entertainment industry, and it has been used as the setting for scenes in numerous films and TV programmes, including ‘Hot Fuzz’, ‘The Theory of Everything’, and multiple episodes of ‘Midsomer Murders’. Punters can buy the infamous ‘Owd Rodger’ on tap once again, as it was reintroduced to the pub in 2006, albeit with a scaled-back alcohol volume.

Getting to The Royal Standard of England

The pub is in Beaconsfield, a town in Buckinghamshire, England. It’s located in a quiet, rural setting that’s less than two miles from Beaconsfield rail station, around a 30 minute walk. The pub has its own large car park or a local bus, the 577, will take you part of the way followed by a 15 minute walk.