On the right is the rather idyllic Jasmine Cottage situated on the corner of Park Road and Brighton Road. The image dates to 1905.

This was the original building that would later become the Royal Oak. In the picture you can just make out the beer shop on its left side. This belonged at the time to Chapman's brewery across the road.

We do know the cottage was knocked down but we don't know if that included the beer shop at the time.

The image below shows the first construction of the Royal Oak which gives the impression they had yet to take over their neighbours.

Unlike many pubs that carry the name, the Royal Oak, this one did not depict a king hiding up a tree, but rather referred to a class of British warship known as the Sovereign class of which the Royal Oak was a type. We think that at one time it was known as the Sovereign.

Below is an original photograph of the Royal Oak supplied by Rod Waller of Denton Motors, around the corner in Park Road. Rod's parents, Leslie and Ivy Waller, ran the pub in the late 50 to 60s. Leslie was a great car enthusiast and bought the garage behind the pub, eventually leaving the pub to run the garage full time. His son Rod still owns it. The name Denton Motors comes from the name of the park across the road, Denton Gardens.

The pub sign was a double sided hand painted creation by Nick Hallard of Eyebright, creators of traditional pub signs, who we are pleased to say, is based in Worthing. Nick is responsible for several local signs.

The Royal Oak was a ship that was what we might today refer to as a cross over. Reliable steam engines were beginning to find their place on the water but sails masts still held their position and use, offering the best of both worlds.

We are also at a period were ships were making use of iron plates attached to the wooden hull for protection.

 Time Line

 A little bit extra

1963 - 'Terry' Aspinall (new landlord)
1982 - Ron Clark

Ron Clark, landlord, started selling milk on draught.