History of
The Royal Oak

In the late 1100s, soon after the land of the Romney Marsh was reclaimed from the sea, St. Augustine's Church was founded in Brookland. The Elizabethan building which is now the Royal Oak was originally constructed in 1570 adjacent to St. Augustine's as a dwelling for the parish clerk and sexton. It remained as such until the 18th century when Jacob Ferriss was granted a license "that he may suffer ale to be tippled in his house, but he may not suffer ale to be dippled during divine service".

There are many legends about why the spires of St. Augustine's Church sit on the ground alongside the church. The truth is that the land is alluvial and wouldn't support any sort of similar structure.

Fortunately it still supports the Royal Oak.