A Pint of History Please

Exploring the History of Ceredigion's Pubs

Details of pub: Royal Oak Hotel, Lampeter / Llanbedr Pont Steffan

Other names: Royal Oak
Address/Location: High Street SA48 7BB
OS Grid Ref: SN5767548120
Opened: before 1800      
Closed: open 2018       Type: Hotel
Summary: The original Royal Oak occupied the part to the right hand side of the archway as we face the building. It later took over The Globe and then The George (see separate entries)
2016 - on the market.
2017 - open as a restaurant.
2018 - taken over by Colin Rose, open as a pub, and being renovated as "The Royal Oak Hotel", including a pub, a restaurant called "The Stables" and 7 hotel rooms.

The Courtyard behind was converted into Mews.

Committee meetings of the Lampeter Agricultural Show always met at The Royal Oak. (Dinners after the Show held at The Black Lion)
The Neuadd Fawr Fox Hounds held their Meet at The Royal Oak until the 1960s.

Notes: 1800
Samuel Edwards, Royal Oak died
1830 Pigot’s directory
Margaret Edwards
1841 census
Rees Davies, Innkeeper
1851 census
Rees Davies, Innkeeper

1855
"DEATHS. On the 27th ult., at Royal Oak, Lampeter, Mr. Thomas Jenkins, saddler, aged 33 years" Welshman 12 Oct 1855

1861 census
Elizabeth Davies 64, Innkeeper. Elizabeth Davies daughter - married David Evans, Tanrallt, Pencarreg, (Printer); their son was D.R.Evans, Bridge Press Printers

1865
Lampeter Agricultural Club, Ploughing competition: "After the successful competitors had been paid, several of the gentlemen and farmers retired to the Royal Oak, Lampeter, where a substantial dinner was provided by Mrs. Evans, and which was presided over by W. Jones. Esq., Llwynygroes, the chairman of the society. After the cloth had been removed, most appropriate speeches were delivered on the benefit of ploughing matches and improvements in agriculture." Aber Obs 18 Feb 1865
1870
"LAMPETER. INQUEST. On the 10th inst. an inquest was held at the Royal Oak, Lampeter, before Thos. J. Hughes, Esq., coroner, on view of the body of Enoch Thomas, aged 64, who resided at Typoeth, in the parish of Lampeter. From the evidence adduced, it appeared that the deceased was seen in a state of intoxication on the road near Lampeter, about ten p.m. of the 7th, and partly assisted through the gate, when he went alone towards home. On the following day, about three o'clock in the afternoon, the body of a man was seen in the River Dulas, near a new bridge by the gas works, and on being pulled out proved to be that of the deceased, who had not been at home during the night. Verdict-" Found drowned."" Aber Times 15 Jan 1870
1871 census
John Jones, Publican
1875
licensee: John Jones (Worrall’s Directory, 1875)
1881 census
John Jones, Hotel Proprietor
1891 census
Margaret Jones ( widow of John Jones) Innkeeper, Publican

1894
"Application for the transfer of the licence of the Royal Oak Hotel, Lampeter, from Mrs Jones, deceased, to Miss Jones was granted." CN 6 July 1894

1896
"CWN CADNO NEUADDFAWR. Sadwrn, Rhag. 26, cyfarfyddant yn Royal Oak Hotel, Lampeter, am 10:30. " Brython Cymreig, 25 Dec 1896

1901 census
David Price Davies MRCVS Hotel Proprietor & Veterinary Surgeon

1902
Death of T H R Hughes, owner - see att

1905
Petty Sessions: Lampeter; number on list: 3; name of premises: Royal Oak ; Parish / Place: Lampeter; Licensee: Davies, David Price; owner or tenant : tenant; registered owner : Alice M Hughes, Neuaddfawr, Lampeter; free or tied: Free; tied to: [blank]; type of licence: full; on or off licence: on; number of licenced days per week: 7. (1905 list)

"LAMPETER COUNCILLOR'S DEATH: Mr. David Price Davies, veterinary surgeon, of the Royal Oak Hotel, Lampeter, died on Wednesday evening after only four days' illness. On the 8th inst. he was elected on the town council (unopposed) to fill a casual vacancy. Deceased was highly respected by all, and he leaves a widow to mourn his loss. " Evening Express 26 Jan 1905

1907
Occasional licence for yeomanry ball at the Victoria Hall - see att

1911 census:Mrs Mary Anne Davies ( widow of David Price Davies) Hotel Keeper

Later licensees:
Tom & Sarah Evans
Dick Evans
Sam & Mary Davies
Esther & Bill Owen
Gareth & Margaret Davies
Dai & Anne Jones

2018
Licensee Colin Rose.










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