Today I am going to introduce you to “the Oldest Freehouse in England”. A few months ago, some friends embarked us on a special visit : discovering their family’s local pub, which they said was “surprising” and “full of interest” (especially for me, always looking for great places to recommend on this blog).
So off I went with my family and friends to the Royal Standard of England on a sunny Sunday. We had an amazing day enjoying our lunch and walking in the beautiful surrounding countryside. British lifestyle at its best!

The Royal Standard of England:
simply unique!

The access to the Royal Standard of England is not obvious and the use of the sat nav will help you dive into the overwhelming nature without fear of getting lost.

When we (humble pilgrims) stepped into this unusual place, we were stunned by the picturesque interior design. There are countless small or big objects everywhere !

Your eyes are drawn to the many details in the rooms, like the vintage windows, the tapestries and paintings on the wall, the quirky objects everywhere … I had never seen such a place before!
This old building still showcases remains of the past: the ancient wooden doors, the medieval tiled floor, the old uneven wooden beams, which make this pub look even more impressive.
The dim light inside the pub transports you to another time and it won’t take long before you completely forget about the hustle and bustle of London!

Home-cooked food

We came for the Sunday roast and enjoyed it a lot (as well as the tasty special ciders, beers and whiskies we found there to accompany our meals…).
Fresh vegetables, tender meat, lovely staff: the perfect lunch!
I particularly loved the warmth blazes from the log fire and the candle lit atmosphere in the room (and noticed a few cosy corners that I would like to try next time!). Who wouldn’t, really?
We had no time to try the desserts, but for sure I’ll soon find an excuse to stop by and savor a few … (and yes, I’ll let you know my top picks!).

The haunting of the pub

Yes, these are the rumors that will delight those who like histories …

“In the car park, there is occasionally the sound of a drum beating. The noise beats through the pub sounding the alarm of the young drummer boy, killed by the Roundheads in 1643.
Then there is the ghost who walks through walls.”

We personally did not see nor hear any souls from the past while eating in the pub or exploring the countryside (this does not sound surprising at all, does it?). But I am always interested in hearing your experience if different … !

The Chilterns

The Royal Standard of England is located in the heart of the Chilterns (a range of hills northwest of London), which offers a great opportunity to organise a walk after or before your lunch/dinner.

The Royal Standard of England itself suggests a walk you can easily organise (even with kids) if you want to stay close to the pub.
Or you can visit this website to explore more around.

The countryside is indeed very beautiful and you won’t regret your outing in the Chilterns.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and found inspiration here. If you are planning to book a table at the Royal Standard of England, please share your experience and opinion here!

To go further:
The Royal Standard of England Pub: Forty Green, Beaconsfield, Bucks, HP9 1XT
Website