A POTTED HISTORY

Sometime in the 16th century a small timber framed building was on this site and had probably previously been a medieval shop or market stall. 14th century deeds show a mixture of tenements, shops and market stalls.

The Horse & Groom was originally known as The Lower Rose & Crown and from licensed victualler’s records the first licensee was recorded in 1719 although it is more than likely that the pub was there much earlier, but records were not kept. That first licensee was Peter Tillier who stayed until 1721.

The cellar extends under the road on Castle hill ending with an arch which was originally a passage leading to the castle, but at some point was filled in.

The first recorded licensee when the name was changed to The Horse & Groom was Richard Knight in 1792, although the property was owned by William Foster
a brewer of Windsor with a mortgage made to James Dauncey for securing
£250.  In 1769 The Lower Rose & Crown was sold to Henry Reddington for £271.17 shillings and in 1837 The Horse & Groom was sold to Neville & Reid as part of the Windsor Brewery Estate.

In 1919 the property was sold to Noakes & Co, brewers of Egham and in 1924 The Horse & Groom was enlarged with the addition of a urinal and WC at the rear of the property, according to the deed plan the original pub had two separate bars one named the public bar and one the private bar. In 1930 it was again sold this time to Courage & Co Ltd and more alterations were made including converting to one bar.

In 1721 Arthur Matthew was in charge of the property and was convicted of selling ale and beer without a licence before John Owen Esq., magistrate on his own confession and paid 20 shillings to the overseers of the poor out of court. Arthur Matthew was convicted a second time for the same offence.

More recently the property was leased in 1994 by Denise & Nick Long of Windsor PubCo who sold the lease in 2005 to their daughter Louise and her husband Elliott Meddings who are the current owners.