History
Stepping into The Plough Shiplake is like walking through 400 years of Shiplake’s history. Our story begins around 1600, when the central core of the building was constructed as a modest, two-bay timber-framed house. Today, you can still see the soul of that original Tudor home in the exposed "jowled" wall posts, curved bracing, and the heavy oak beams that frame our rooms.
From Domestic Life to Local Alehouse
While its earliest days were domestic, The Plough’s transition into a public house is steeped in local lore. Parish records trace our brewing roots back to at least 1749, with the name "The Plough" first appearing in 1775.
The pub’s heritage is inextricably linked to the famous Brakspear family. In the late 18th century, Robert Brakspear acted as a surety for the landlord, and by the 19th century, the brewery officially acquired the building. Under the stewardship of William Brakspear, who grew the estate to over 80 pubs by 1881, The Plough evolved from a rudimentary beer house into a sophisticated hub for the community.
Evolution and Architecture
As Shiplake grew, so did we. Throughout the 19th century, The Plough expanded to meet the needs of travelers on the Reading Road:
The Early 1800s: The southern wing was added to provide more accommodation.
The Victorian Era: A significant red-brick extension transformed the site into "The Plough Hotel," introducing the distinctive timber-supported canopies and leaded-glazed windows you see today.
The 20th Century: Around 1930, the pub was briefly renamed the Plowden Arms in honour of the local Plowden family of Shiplake Court, a nod to local nobility.
A Living Heritage
The Plough is a rare example of a pre-1830 "Beer Act" conversion, meaning it was a celebrated local haunt long before the Victorian explosion of public houses. Whether you are admiring the 17th-century lath-and-plaster partitions in our upper floors or enjoying a drink under the same roof that Robert Brakspear once visited, you are part of a long tradition of Shiplake hospitality.
We invite you to pull up a chair and become part of the next chapter of our history..
Becoming The Plough
The late 19th century marked a grand chapter for the building. Between 1872 and 1898, the red-brick northern extension was constructed, replacing earlier structures and likely the original western wing (where our kitchen stands today). This ambitious expansion transformed the site into "The Plough Hotel," offering rooms for let and establishing it as a premier destination for travelers.
This name remained until around 1930 when the pub was renamed the Plowden Arms. Several further alterations were undertaken over the course of the 20th century, with a modern "link block" added in the 1960s to connect the main building with the southern outbuilding.
In recent years The Plough has been run by several different landlords, but remained a beloved village pub. In 2022, after standing vacant for three years, having faced a very serious threat from developers, the pub was purchased by current owner, Jill Sikkens. Jill undertook an extensive renovation of the building and garden, reopening in December 2022.
Since reopening, The Plough Shiplake has been included in the Good Food Guide’s Top 50 UK Sunday Roasts, won the prestigious New Garden Designer award from the Society of Garden Designers and became a Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice Award Winner.
"Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast."
— The Comedy of Errors, Act 3, Scene 1
