Standing in the cobbled market place by the Market Cross, the Royal Oak has been a public house since the 15th century.
The actual history of the building is very sketchy, but as far as it is known there has been a building on this site since the early 14th Century, probably starting life as a farmhouse.
In the 15th Century a Public House was introduced into the building. It became an important Coaching Inn where weary travellers would stay on route to Edinburgh or London.
The Heritage Society has a number of old documents about the Royal Oak, and included is a document describing the arrival of a coach when Mary Proctor was landlord:
“The sound of the distant horn galvanised the whole inn. Landlord Mary Proctor bustled around shouting orders to the giggling serving wenches. The potman tapped a barrel of ale. A lad threw even more logs on the blazing fire. Loafers in their stables yawned from their bed of hay, and with a confusion of ‘Whoas’ and ‘Giddups’ led out the fresh horses ready for the change.
The blare of the horn drew nearer, the London stage coach thundered across the Wyre Bridge. The tired horses made a final effort up the hill, then pulled to a stop outside the Royal Oak. The weary passengers tumbled thankfully out, some to partake of hurried refreshments before continuing their journey to Edinburgh, others to await the next coach and enjoy Mary Proctor’s hospitality, in that year of grace 1807.”
Famous visitors
Famous people who stayed here include Celia Fiennes, an English travel writer who journeyed on horseback all over England in the 17th century. She travelled alone, apart from two servants, and rode sidesaddle. She published a journal of her travels, The Journeys of Celia Fiennes 1685 – c1712.
Sir Walter Scott also stayed here in 1828, and recorded in his journal dated 4th April 1828 that he “slept at Garstang; an indifferent house.”
In 1794 the building also housed the Post and Excise Office.
In 1875 the novelist William Black stayed at the Oak and was so impressed by the inn and surrounding countryside that he centred one of his books around it, and wrote:
” I give you my word this is the best ale I have drunk since we started from London. It is clear, bright, very bitter, brisk, it is worth the long journey to drink such ale.”
The Royal Oak Field
The Royal Oak owned a lot of land which went past St. Thomas’s Church and down to the river. The field next to the river was known locally as the Royal Oak field and many events took place there including several Garstang Agricultural shows.
The Story of the Sword Swallower
In 1827 a man called Vera Bedra died at the Royal Oak. He was part of a group of 3 men, who came from India and who were jugglers and sword swallowers. The men were perfoming in the town, probably at the Town Hall.
On Friday 28th October 1827 Bedra complained that he was not feeling well while at breakfast. He was later found collapsed at the Town Hall.
He was taken to his room at the Royal Oak but despite a doctor being called he died soon after. He is buried in the graveyard of St. Helen’s church at Churchtown.
Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee 1887
With the whole country agog for the jubilee, some of the regulars at the Royal Oak and other Garstang pubs decided they must do their bit towards smartening up the celebrations. They rounded up all the filthy loafers who slept rough in pub stables in the town and on the morning of the Jubilee they took them to the Royal Oak yard.
There, with the aid of pump and scrubbing brush they cleaned them up, cut hair and beards, and dressed them in clean (if old) clothes.
As Garstonians crowded into the High Street for the celebrations they gaped at the gang of “respectable strangers”, not recognising them as the hangers on of the pubs who they had only seen dirty and unkempt.
More about the hotel
In 1836 when the hotel was up for rent it boasted 32 acres of meadow and pasture land.
In 1840 the hotel had 11 bedrooms and 3 servants’ rooms, a stable for 14 horses, a brewhouse, pigsties, 2 coach houses a harness room and a shippon listed in the description.
In 1890 there were 8 beds for travellers. Refreshments (other than drink) could be provided for 110 persons, and there was stabling for 12 horses.
Originally it was part of the Garstang Manor Estate, and it was sold by auction in 1919 when the estate was broken up.
In 1946 the Royal Oak was bought by Frederick Robinson Ltd.
During the alterations which have taken place over the years a large well was found in the cellar.
Landlords
1713-1754 Thomas Longworth (Innkeeper & farmer)
1754-1756 Robert Bradley (Innkeeper & farmer)
1757- 1773 John Bright (Innkeeper)
1773-1786 Robert Parkinson (Innkeeper)
1791-? David Warden (Victualler, Excise & Post Office)
1786 – 1798 William Janeson
1807 – 1808 Mary Proctor
1808 – 1815 Stephen Winder
On 12th May 1815 Stephen Winder committed suicide in his bedroom at the Royal Oak during the night by fixing the muzzle of a fowling piece in his mouth and continuing then to fire it. He was almost 70 years old, and it is supposed that grief over the loss of his wife had led him to commit this act.
1817-1834 James Mckie (Born in Scotland)
In November 1823 James McKie was convicted and fined 20 shillings plus costs for ill treating one of his horses, by running the same in the coach from Garstang to Lancaster, when it was not in a fit state to work.
In 1831 a Masonic meeting took place at the Royal Oak, hosted by Brother James McKie of the Lodge of the Economy No 855. Brethren attended from Lodges at Lancaster, Liverpool and Preston. After marching through the town, upwards of 60 people sat down to an excellent dinner, prepared by Mrs McKie in her usual grand style.
1837-1840 John Dobson
1839 – 1841 Joseph Rooking
1842-1849 Ellen Rooking (Widow of Joseph)
1851- 1881 James Henry Stanley (Excise Officer born in Cape Town South Africa) & Wife Marianne (Daughter of Joseph & Ellen Rooking)
1881 – 1882 Henry Curtis (born in Yorkshire)
1882 – 1885 John Ribchester
1885 – 1895 Nicholas Isles (Innkeeper & Farmer) from Pilling
1901 -1902 John Philipson
1902 – 1915 William Banks from Longridge & Wife Sarah, William died on 10th November 1911 and Widow Sarah took over until her death on 2nd April 1915.
1917 – 1926 William Melling
1926 -1929 Charles Henry Hewitt
1932 Frank Bailey
1934 John H Hamer
1935-1937 Miss Elizabeth Catterall
1938 Charles Crichton
1946 Lieutenant Commander Sutcliffe RN & Mrs Vera Sutcliffe
1952 Mr & Mrs Morley
1960 Squadron Leader Bernard James Hewitson & Wife Betty
1983 –1986 James Michael Hewitson
1986 – 2024 Lorraine Hewitson