The Kings Arms, 95 Church Road
6 photos of the Kings Arms taken in 1994, one in 1987, and an earlier one from a postcard undated.
In earlier times, the Kings Arms was on the edge of the village but in a good position for travellers on the Stokenchurch to Islip road. When the new turnpike (A40) was built, it had the opportunity to serve the coaches which no longer travelled over Shotover and along the High Street. It was known at one time as 'Facing Both Ways'.
On the building there is the date 1756 although the datestone in 2021 is undecipherable. The Davis family owned the premises for many years. 'Thomas Davis his house and Malthouse' is mentioned in the Constables Accounts of 1765. His son, another Thomas and who was a schoolmaster, is understood to have held classes for the poor children from Holton here in 1787 (see https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holton,_Oxfordshire) became landlord in 1785 until 1805. Other members of the family continued as licensee, Sophia from 1806, another Thomas from 1822, and Hannah from 1846. William Jones was the licensee from 1863.
Listing details state 'Public house. 1756 on datestone and later. Liemstone rubble (some coursed) with ashlar dressings; part old plain-tile roof with brick stacks. L-plan with subsidiary wings. 2 storeys plus attics. Dated range with plinth and stone eaves cove has entrance in angle of ranges with C20 porch, 4-pane sash above with keyblock and 2-light roof dormer. Two 12-pane sashes on opposite side. Gable
wall to road has 4-pane sash to left, 6-row dovecote in gable and datestone in apex inscribed "TD/1756". 2-storey range to right has tripartite sash to right of doorway with two 9-pane sashes at first floor and is probably early C19. At rear are several gabled and hipped wings of one storey plus attics with 2-panelled shutters. Interior: Remains of C18 plasterwork'.
The ‘Court Room', one of the public rooms, is said to be the place where local courts were once held. The appearance of the room below suggest it may have been where prisoners were kept. There is no documentary evidence for this. It may, of course, have been used as a schoolroom in the 1770 - 80's. Thomas Davis Junior was a schoolmaster.
Hall’s of Oxford owned this from the 1860s.