The Royal Oak was opened as a beerhouse in the 1830s by Benjamin Couldwell, gaining a full wines and spirits licence a few years later. The pub was in the hands of the Couldwells for several generations. The building on the left was the old toll-bar, which was in operation until the end of 1875.

Church Schools Whitsuntide gathering in 1907. The pub doorway can be seen, with the grocer's shop doorway to its left.

Church Schools Whitsuntide gathering in 1907. The pub is out of shot on the right, but the attached shop can be seen.

The Royal Oak with the provision shop next to it on the left, and a house. The building is much smaller than this on the 1854 OS map, so it must have been extended at some point; the photograph taken in 1860 also shows a much smaller building. The attached shop shown in this photograph was in the possession of George Dimmock at this time.

Taken at the top of Vaughton Hill. The pub itself is just out of shot on the far right, but the attached house and grocer's shop can be seen.

The crowd is gathered at the bottom of Carr Road. The gateway to the stables at the rear of the pub is on the left, then a shop. The bottom three terraced houses belonged to Benjamin Couldwell junior and were rented out to tenants.

Co-op stores left (opened 1893), with King and Miller beyond. On the other side of the road is Robinson's shop (now demilished) with the Royal Oak beyond.

Photo credit: Ian Sutton

Photo: Google maps

The pub is displaying signage for Gilmour’s ales. The Huddersfield bus is at the bottom of Carr Road; it was run by Baddeley’s and was green and white.

Souvenir card for the 2nd dinner and social held at the Royal Oak for the Home Guard Stocksbridge Work’s Company (Yorkshire & Lancashire Regiment), held on the 14th December 1940.

Souvenir card for the 2nd dinner and social held at the Royal Oak for the Home Guard Stocksbridge Work’s Company (Yorkshire & Lancashire Regiment), held on the 14th December 1940.

The Royal Oak is highlighted in yellow
TP signifies the Turnpike
Reproduced with permission of the National Library of Scotland.

The building is much larger here
Reproduced with permission of the National Library of Scotland.