Tiny back street alehouse, built in the 1820s and compulsory purchased in 1912.
There was one interesting case that occurred in December 1843, when George Sheldon 43, broke into Aylestone church and sacrilegiously stole a quantity of black cloth.’ The cloth had been draped over the pulpit in consequence of the vicar’s demise. The following day Sheldon took the cloth to Mrs. Cheney, landlady of the Royal Oak, for safe keeping. Mrs. Cheney refused and the police were called. At his trial Sheldon was sentenced to twelve years transportation.
