Alnwick (Bondgate Without) - Royal Oak Inn

Name: Royal Oak Inn

Address: South Road, Alnwick

Courtesy of CAMRA Experience

These days the Royal Oak is known as the Oaks Hotel and is located on the roundabout at the junction of Bondgate Without and South Road.

1851 OS Map

It was originally built as a coaching inn and dates back to the 1840s, being the property of the Duke of Northumberland (part of the Northumberland Estates). It closed in 1877 and became a private residence for over a century before reopening in 1988. During the late 1800s and early 1900s the estate manager, Thomas Pickard lived in the property, by which time it had been renamed 'The Oaks' and in the mid-20th century, the head forester for the estate lived on the property.

Listed landlords at the inn were John Crozer (1846-), Thomas Hunter (1855-77) and Martin Russell (2013–).

Serious Outrage by Railway Labourers

On Monday week, large parties of the labourers from the Newcastle and Berwick Railway patrolled Alnwick and the neighbourhood, and committed several outrages. The works were suspended on that day, in consequence of the snow storm, and they were nearly all in a drunken state, the previous Saturday having been pay-day. On the return of one of the groups to Lesbury, in the evening, they went to the house of Mr. John Crozer, of the Royal Oak Inn, situated near the Alnwick south tollbar, a short distance from the town. A treat was given to the party by one of the superintendents of the gangers, and after he left the house, the navvies commenced a row, and with their bludgeons, and poker and tongs, and other weapons, they soon, by their superior numbers, cleared the house of all the company, the landlady and the two girls being obliged to for for safety. The navvies, being in possession, commenced the work of wanton destruction, breaking doors, windows, and some of the household articles, and tearing the pointers from the clock dial. Some young men were knocked down, and one, named Ralph Jackson, of Alnwick, was dreadfully ill-treated, the navvies making a run at him and kicking him on the body while he lay insensible among the snow in front of the house. On the approach of a party of the inhabitants of Alnwick, the navvies took flight, having plundered the house of several articles, and carried off candlesticks, tongs, chimney-place ornaments, and some articles of wearing apparel. One of the navvies, who had been upstairs, and loitered behind his companions, was secured till the police were sent for, and he was lodged in the house of correction at Alnwick, The gang that committed these outrages were English labourers, chiefly from Lancashire, Cumberland, Yorkshire, and other countries, and they went about vowing vengeance against all Irishmen. The rioters were mostly all waggon drivers on the line, and it is reported that they all decamped on the following morning, after obtaining their pay

Saturday,  Dec. 12, 1846

Publication: Westmorland Gazette

1855 Whellan's Directory Thomas Hunter

John Crozer, the previous landlord can be seen living next door to the inn with his wife Barbara on the 1861 census below, his occupation recorded as Nursery & Seedsman.

1861 Census Thomas Hunter

Thomas Turner is listed as Innkeeper at the Royal Oak, supplementing his business as a Cattle Trader, as census records below affirm.

sShields Daily Gazette Wednesday,  Feb. 13, 1867

1861 OS Map

Thomas a local man, born and brought up in Shield Dykes, which is a small hamlet and farm located a few miles south-west of Alnwick, his upbringing providing a good background for trading in cattle.

1871 Census Thomas Hunter

Publican Fined

Thomas Hunter, landlord of the Royal Oak, near Alnwick, was charged with selling drink during prohibited hours, at eleven o'clock on Sunday forenoon, the 21st of May last. The case was proved by Sergeant Robson and P.-C. Homer. Mr R. Middlemas, who appeared for the defendant, contended that there was no proof that the drink had been sold, and that his client had given a satisfactory explanation of the circumstances. The bench were of opinion that there must be a conviction, and fined defendant 50s. including costs.

Saturday,  June 10, 1871

Publication: Alnwick Mercury

HUNTING APPOINTMENTS

MAJOR BROWNE'S FOXHOUNDS, WILL MEET ON Monday, December 2nd, at Royal Oak, Alnwick. Wednesday, the 4th, at Belford. Friday, the 6th. at Eglingham Hall. At 10-45.

Saturday,  Nov. 30, 1872

Publication: Alnwick Mercury

ADJOURNED BREWSTER SESSIONS

This was the day for holding the adjourned Brewster Sessions for East Coquetdale. Transfers were granted to Thomas Cowper, Queen's Head Inn, Alnwick, and Mary Knox, Black Swan Inn, Alnwick. Henry Lamb, Warkworth ; John Brown, Alnwick; Edward Bell, Lesbury; Elizabeth Walker, Alnmoutb; Eli Bailey, Alnmouth; Bartholomew Stephenson, Boulmer; James Edward Guy, Amble; Isabella Wrigglesworth, Shilbottle; and Thomas Brewis, Alnwick, —the publicans against whom there have been convictions during the year,—were called upon and, with the exception of the last named, -appeared before the Court. Mr Craster, the presiding magistrate, cautioned them strictly as to their future conduct. The eight who appeared thea received their licenses. Thomas Brewis did not receive his, not being there to apply for it. Robert Graham, publican, Warkworth, did not appear to apply for his license, which was held over for the present. It was stated that the following houses have been discontinued during the year:—John Thew, Sun Inn, Newton-on-the-Moor; Thomas Hunter, Royal Oak Inn, Alnwick; William Powell, Post Boy Inn, Alnwick ; George Stevenson, Beehive Inn, Alnwick. The license of Wm. Richardson, Tithe Barn Inn, near Lesbury, was applied for, but was not renewed, as the Duke of Northumberland has intimated his intention of causing it to be discontinued as a public house. Jane Smails, Craster, applied for a license to sell beer and sweets to be consumed off the premises; She was granted a six days' license.

Following closure of the inn, Thomas remained living there, plying his trade as a cattle dealer until his death in 1881.

ALNWICK PETTY SESSIONS

Alleged Unlawful Intent.—Joseph Wriggles, worth was charged with being found by P.C. Sprott on the premises of the Royal Oak, near Alnwick, at half-past twelve, on the early morning of Thursday, the lst inst., for an unlawful purpose. P.C. Sprott, being on duty at that place, heard some one in the byre or stable behind. He got in and found the prisoner lying in the byre asleep amongst the hay. He awoke him and found a skeleton key in his pocket. Prisoner said he was employed by Mr Hunter, who gave him permission to sleep on his sofa; but having been out late that night, he went into the stable by means of the key which he had previously found hanging there and put into his pocket. There were a great many poultry close by. Mr Hunter gave evidence in his favour, and the case was consequently dismissed.

Saturday,  Aug. 10, 1878

Publication: Alnwick Mercury

1881 Census Thomas Hunter

Saturday,  June 11, 1881 Alnwick Mercury

The Licensed Victuallers and The Publicans of Alnwick and district have recently formed themselves into an association for the better protection as well as promotion of their interests as a trading community. Perhaps the time has arrived when they feel it necessary they should do so, for it is apparent that the publicans' business in the ducal town is not near so lucrative as it was formerly. There are many causes to account for this ; but one point is obvious, people nowadays have not so much idle time to while away in a public-house, nor have they as much money at command. A retrospect of the last quarter of a century shows that more than half of the public-houses in Alnwick existing during this period have been closed, and are now the private residences of respectable townspeople. As it may be interesting to some of our readers, we will commemorate those fully-licensed inns which have been closed during the past twenty years. Canongate Street: Black Horse, Stag Inn, Crown and Globe. Bailiffgate Street: Red Lion. Narrowgate Street: Alnwick Castle Inn, Half Moon Inn. Pottergate Street: Ship Inn. Paike Street: Shakespeare Tavern. Bondgate Street (North Side): Northumberland Arms, Post Boy. Bondgate Street (South Side —from the Tower): Masons' Arms, Cattle Market Tavern, Cross Keys, King's Arms. Corn Market: George and Dragon. Clayport Street (South Side): William IV., Pack Horse. Clayport Street (North Side): Clayport Tower Inn, Anchor Inn. Green Batt: Queen's Head Hotel (now the site of the police barracks.) South Road: Royal Oak, Willow Tree. 

There have also been several beer shops closed. Thirty-one public-houses are still licensed in Alnwick (including the Bee Hive in the Market Place, which has been shut up for several years, and the Pickwick Inn —formerly a brewery —in Roxburgh Place, which has been wanting a tenant since November last.) It, however, cannot be said that temperance has made any great incur upon the publicans' trade in Alnwick, if we take a similar retrospective view. Sixteen and seventeen years ago, Good Templarism flourished in Alnwick—like all novelties—there being three distinct lodges of the brotherhood, and upwards of 600 members. Now there only exists one lodge, the youngest of the three, which has had a very fitful life, but is now, we understand, in more improved circumstances than it has been for several years. There is a mighty lot can be said, for and against the liquor traffic. In our opinion prohibitory measures have a far more demoralising effect than a free unlimited sale. 

Saturday,  Mar. 21, 1891 Morpeth Herald

1871 OS Map 'The Oaks & Royal Oak'

The property was more recently purchased from the Northumberland Estates in 1987 and officially reopened as 'The Oaks Hotel' in August 1988.