The Royal Oak

NAILSEA

1066/4/61 HIGH STREET 11-OCT-61 (Southeast side) The Royal Oak

II Inn of C18 date with later alterations, possibly incorporating an earlier building. MATERIALS: It is constructed of rendered stone rubble, with a slate roof with raised coped verges, with some plain tiles and pantiles to rear. There are ridge and gable stacks, PLAN: L-plan formed by rear wing. FAÇADE: The inn is of two storeys, with four windows at ground and first floor, all of which are sashes in exposed boxes. There is a central Doric portico with cornice and blocking course, and panelled and glazed door. Attached to the left is a single bay building of the same height with louvred openings at first floor which is reputed to have formerly housed a cider press. The right return has a C20 single light at first floor to the right. Attached to rear right is a two storey rear wing with roof hipped at junction. There is a blocked door with segmental head and a C20 3-light window with segmental head as well as two C20 windows under the eaves, which are not rendered. To the rear, the inner side of the wing has two 20-pane sashes in exposed boxes at first floor with gauged brick heads; one at ground floor left; two C20 doors and twp C20 windows. There is a single storey flat-roofed addition in the angle, with a C20 window and double door, and small single light under eaves, above addition a C20 2-light casement. INTERIOR: The ground floor has had the internal walls removed. The front left retains its ceiling frieze, panelled shutters to windows and panelled soffit to arch between the two rooms to left. SUBSIDIARY BUILDINGS: Attached to the front of the inn, and running north towards the High Street, is a former barn/stabling. This has a hipped pantile roof, with triple roll tiled lean-to at the inner side with double doors. There is a second double Roman tiled lean-to beyond this. The west side of barn has C20 double doors and loading door with segmental head at front end.

SUMMARY OF IMPORTANCE: A good example of a C18 inn despite later internal alterations. It retains its stabling and subsidiary buildings and presents a handsome façade to the High Street.