The last pub standing
At the start of the twentieth century, Cuddington had four public houses: The White Swan, The Seven Stars, The Red Lion and The Crown. One by one the others closed and became private homes, leaving The Crown as the village's last remaining pub. A couple of centuries ago it offered not just food and drink but accommodation and stabling for horses - no longer, we should add - and it has served as a centre of village social life ever since.
From alehouse to village pub
The Crown is believed to have begun life as an alehouse, brewing its own beer on the premises. By the eighteenth century it was a well-established inn. An inventory from the period describes two parlours, four bedchambers, a cellar and a spacious barn. Like many publicans of the time, several landlords combined the inn with another trade. Robert Green, who ran The Crown between 1841 and 1861, was also a carpenter. His son George Green, born at The Crown, went on to become one of Cuddington's most successful businessmen.
The Crown and village life
The Crown has always been more than a place to enjoy a drink. For many years it was a hub of village activity: parcels carried by the Oxford Bus Company were collected and distributed here, local sporting groups gathered before heading into the countryside, and neighbours met to share news and company.
The Sonny Rose years
One of The Crown's most memorable landlords was Sidney "Sonny" Rose, a former Coldstream Guard and First World War veteran who took over in 1943. Thanks to the recollections of local resident Lil Arnott, we have a vivid picture of those years: a pint cost a shilling, the landlord did every calculation in his head, and a second-hand pianola provided the entertainment for a sing-song. Sonny was a respected and popular landlord who shared his customers' love of gardening, fishing and shooting.
A new chapter
Over the centuries The Crown has witnessed enormous change. Coaches gave way to cars, horse-drawn deliveries disappeared, and many neighbouring pubs closed for good. Yet The Crown remains. When the pub faced an uncertain future, the people of Cuddington came together to save it, raising £660,000 in just six weeks to purchase it and secure its future. Today The Crown is community owned, cared for by more than 200 shareholders and supported by volunteers, staff and customers. The Crown belongs to the community that rallied to save it, and still does what it always has: it brings people together.
With thanks to Peter Wenham of the Cuddington Historical Society.