The claim
Tucked down lanes near Beaconsfield, the Royal Standard of England bills itself as the country's oldest free house. Whatever the truth of its Saxon origins, the Tudor building is a delight: a warren of beams, settles, stained glass and fires, rated by CAMRA as a nationally important interior. It has starred in films including Hot Fuzz.
What the records show
The claims of Saxon brewing and a 1213 record as 'Se Scip' are the pub's own, set out on its history page, which also calls the house the oldest free house in England and gives it nearly a thousand years. No primary document has been identified for either. The present building is Tudor brick with a nationally important historic interior; the royal name is attributed to the Restoration era.
What to look for inside
- Name said to reward royalist loyalty in the Civil War, granted after the Restoration
- CAMRA two-star historic interior
- Revived 'Owd Rodger' strong ale
- Film location for Hot Fuzz and Midsomer Murders
Visiting
The Royal Standard of England is in Forty Green, England, at Forty Green Road, Forty Green, Beaconsfield HP9 1XT. We do not list opening times, because they change; the pub’s own site is the place to check before you set out.
Sources
- camra.org.uk/pubs/royal-standard-of-england-forty-green-115928
- www.historyhit.com/locations/the-royal-standard-of-england/
- www.theoldestpub.com/history
- www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/bucks/vol3/pp155-165
- ratings.food.gov.uk/business/1994581
Know something we don’t?Suggest a correctionLast checked Oct 2026
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