Royal Oak - 67 Brighton Road - 1877
Now the Cow and Oak

 

  

The Royal Oak was originally a much smaller building as shown opposite. Later they would expand by purchasing the cottage next door that had become a retail outlet for the Chapman Brewery, almost opposite. It was rebuilt in the style that still stands in Brighton Road now.

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.
   
2000s
   
   
   
2019
   
   
   
Now the Cow and Oak, big sister to the Cow Shed (ex Marine pub) on the seafront.
It's probably too late to tell them the 'Oak' in the original pub name was a British battleship, not a tree.
   
2025
   
   

 Time Line

 A little bit extra