In this article, we’re inviting readers to take a journey back in time to visit some of the lost pubs of Northwood and Ruislip.
It’s no secret that the number of pubs in this country has declined over the years. According to figures from real estate company Altus Group, the total number of pubs dropped below 40,000 for the first time in 2022.
Here, we take a look at some of the pubs that many Northwood and Ruislip residents will likely remember from days gone by…
The True Lovers Knot – Rickmansworth Road, Northwood
The True Lovers Knot was a much-loved spot on the busy Rickmansworth Road. It was operated by Benskins Brewery, which was the biggest brewer in Hertfordshire for many years until its sale in 1959.
The True Lovers Knot closed in 2007. It was already set to be demolished when a huge fire tore through the empty pub. The building now situated on the site is called True Lovers Court.
Northwood Hills Hotel – Joel Street, Northwood
Now housing Namaste Lounge, an Indian restaurant and shisha bar, this building holds a special place in musical history. It was at this pub in 1962 that 15-year-old Reggie Dwight was hired as a pianist, where he played on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights for £25 a week, his first-ever gigs.
Of course, young Reggie would go on to become musical superstar Sir Elton John. A plaque was installed on the side of the building in 2010 to commemorate the venue’s important place in music history.
The William Jolle – Joel Street, Northwood
This pub opened in 1998 as a Wetherspoons, thanks to a campaign from local resident Martin Weedon. It served pints to happy punters for another 18 years, before it was sold in 2016.
Though a campaign and a petition to save the pub were launched (which was reported in Northwood & Ruislip News at the time), it was to no avail. The building now houses a Co-Op.
The Swan – High Street, Ruislip
This historic venue dates back to at least the 16th century and was given Grade II listing in 1974.
After the pub shut down in 2007, it was converted into a Café Rouge restaurant, before closing amidst the company’s financial troubles in 2022. It is now a restaurant named Annabella’s at the Swan.
The Plough – Bury Street, Ruislip
Another historic Grade II listed building, with a Tudor design, this was a small pub that shut sometime in the 1970s or 80s. It has been home to various restaurants since, including a Berni Inn and a Beefeater, and is currently a Miller & Carter steakhouse.
St George’s Tavern – Victoria Road, Ruislip Manor
This patriotic pub had a strong community following and even its own football team until its sad closure in 2018. It is now home to another drinking establishment, the Manor Bar.
Residents may also remember The Windmill on Park Way, which was once the oldest pub in Ruislip Manor before it closed in 2007, and The Reindeer on Maxwell Road in Northwood, which was open from 1962 to 2007.
Photo Credit: Nigel Cox
Sad to see so many of the old pubs in Ruislip have closed down. I was born there in 1945 and lived there until 1973. Worked in the Black Bull in Victoria Road for about 5 years to supplement my pay as an apprentice engineer, don’t suppose I would recognise anywhere now as I moved to Liverpool in 1973.