Royal Oak 1651

After his defeat by Cromwell in the final battle of the Civil Wars at Worcester in 1651, a 21-year-old King Charles II spent six weeks on the run, hotly pursued by Parliamentary troops. He passed close to Shifnal along a route now known as Monarch’s Way, and Boscobel House, some 6 miles East of Shifnal is the site of the King’s famous hiding place, the original Royal Oak.

In 1660, the monarchy was restored and the King returned from exile in France to rule until his death in 1685. The Royal Oak became a tourist attraction even in the King’s lifetime, and was eventually plucked to death by souvenir hunters. The tree that stands at Boscobel House today is a descendent of the original.

Inspired by this story, The Royal Oak is still the UK’s third most common pub name, with 393 listed in 2023 by Pubs Galore.