Watford's 'oldest pub' The One Crown reveals offering revamp

The One Crown at 156 High Street is believed to be the town’s more historic drinking hole, although not the longest continuously-run pub.

According to Watford Museum archivist Christine Orchard, the building’s owner was registered as a landlord in 1756, which she said may be when the pub opened.

Now almost 300 years on, landlady Sophie Luckett, 31, explained that the venue has undergone a few changes since she took over in February 2022.

Sophie, 31, took over as landlady two years ago. (Image: Newsquest)

Sophie, who grew up in Watford and lives in Garston, said: “The customers have changed and we lost a few regulars. Some like to just have it as a quiet pub to have a few drinks but obviously that doesn't bring much money and profit.”

She has started organising regular music nights, including a ska DJ and a visiting reggae sound system, which have helped to bring in extra business.

“So where I've started events, the faces have changed and we’ve got a younger crowd coming in now,” she explained.

“When you go to some pubs, it can feel not very welcoming. Before it was an older crowd, but now it's more of a mix of ages and everyone gets along.”

The One Crown is busy with passing trade from Thursday onwards, drawing in both locals, commuters on their way back to the Overground station, and people staying in nearby hotels.

The pub was recently repainted inside to brighten it up. (Image: Newsquest)

“Some regulars have been coming in for 50 odd years so they know it better than I do!” the landlady added.

Due to its proximity to Vicarage Road, it is also often packed out when Watford are playing at home. 

It's the oldest, but not longest continuously-run, pub in the town, dating to 1756. (Image: Newsquest)

The inside walls were repainted olive green and brick red before Christmas to “brighten” the space up, but it still retains a lot of its history.

The landlady said: “You’ve still got the low ceilings and all the tiles are still the same because the owners don't like to change too much. It still has that old atmosphere.”

The beer garden at the back of the pub has been spruced up and the outside bar will open this summer. (Image: Newsquest)

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• Watford's oldest pub pictured in the 1930s

The “sun-trap” beer garden has also been spruced up and there are plans to reopen the outside bar in the summer, which has been unused for the last two years.

Ms Orchard previously told the Watford Observer: "The One Crown is believed to be the oldest public house in Watford.

The One Crown gets a lot of passing trade from locals, commuters and people staying in hotels nearby. (Image: Newsquest)

"In 1756 Jeremiah Friend, who owned the building, was recorded as being the landlord and this may be when the pub first opened.

"The building itself, which is nationally listed, is much older and parts dates back to the 16th century.”

A photo of The One Crown taken in the 1930s.

She shared a photo taken in the 1930s of the pub from the museum's Benskin’s photo collection.