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The 'Most Missed' Buildings in Elstree & Borehamwood, Part 4

Here is the next on our list of the 'Most Missed' buildings in our area.  They are in no particular order, and we are adding them one by one, week by week, and would love to have your feedback on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages. What are your memories? Which is your 'Most Missed'?  What iconic building have we forgotten? Let us know on

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THE OLD CROWN

No one reading will have stepped inside this building when it was one of the original Boreham Wood pubs in Theobald Street.  The Old Crown dates back to at least 1769 although rebuilt in the late 1800's, and ceased being a public house when the New Crown (now a Sainsbury's Local') was built in 1906. It was built for Clutterbuck & Co who were brewers in Stanmore and had pubs throughout Hertfordshire.  By this time with the coming of the railways in the 1860s the centre of the Village was moving from Theobald Street to Shenley Road, and the New Crown was ideally placed to capture those traveling by train and living in Glenhaven Avenue and Drayton Road and further.

Before the New Crown was built in 1906 an animal pound with a pond stood close to the site. Stray farm animals would be left there for collection by their owners. A large cottage in its own grounds was also here, although we have no details and it remains something of a mystery - any information appreciated.

But the Old Crown stayed in situ and had various uses from the 1900s onwards. This area around the building is a bit of a puzzle with Swaker's Yard - a hirer of horse and carts - being in the vicinity as well. It was used for a time as the offices for Roberts the coal merchants who had a yard on the other side of Theobald Street, and lastly as the commercial premises of J.A. Michell, makers of high quality record turntables. Once they departed for Stevenage the old pub became unloved, fell into disrepair and was demolished in 2020. There is now an office building rising on the site.  Our photos show the Crown over the years.