The Rose and Crown 19 High Street, Old Town, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. Phone : 01442 395054

Opening Hours : Mon - Sat 11am to 11pm Sun 12 - 10.30pm

Welcome

The Rose & Crown can be found at the bottom of the Old High Street, drop in for a drink or a bite to eat, lunchtime or evening, in a relaxed and friendly atmostphere. It's the ideal place to have a drink before going through to the Royal Orchid Restaurant at the rear of the pub. We offer a normal pub grub menu complemented by Thai `taster specials'. In the summer months the newly constructed patio seats 48 in a quiet location behind the pub.

Our facilities include: Two bars British & Thai bar food - view menu Beer Garden Car Park at rear The Royal Orchid Thai Restaurant - view menu

Where to find us

This 16th century inn stands on one of the oldest sites in Hemel Hempstead and originally provided 4 beds and stabling for 20 horses - not available now though!
As this building has such a long history you would not be surprised to hear a spooky tale or two. There are purported to be 3 ghosts. We can't admit to ever seeing the Grey Lady, though occasionally the switches in the kitchen turn themselves on and off during the night (or is it the drink?).
There is an interesting tale about a young girl who lived here in the past who was said to be locked in her room all her life because she was crippled. This story actually has some credence because when renovation work was being carried out some years ago, a pair of girl's shoes were found under the floorboards in one of the bedrooms. The sole of one shoe was built up ....
The fireplace in one of the bars looks as if it needs refurbishing, but in fact has been authenticated by the English Heritage as dating back to 1575. It contains medieval graffiti, and if you look very closely you can see two figures said to be of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Apparently they used to stay often in the old hunting lodge in Gadebridge park, and did their courting in the Old High street ale houses. So as we are not allowed to cover the fireplace up it's there for all to see.