West Drayton Pub

[patk]

A relative of mine -- Albert Starnes -- was, according to the 1901 census, the owner of a pub in West Drayton called The Crown. On the page of the census in question, all the addresses including the pub appear to be on Rambler's Alley, but I've been unable to locate any street or thoroughfare of that name.

At the head of the census page, the Civil Parish is said to be West Drayton. The Ecclesiastical Parish seems to be St. Martin's. Both the Rural District and Parliamentary Division are given as Uxbridge.

I am anxious to learn whether the pub still exists. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[olliecat]

On the page of the census in question, all the addresses including the pub appear to be on Rambler's Alley,

I think this is possibly Rumbles Alley rather than Rambler's Alley. The enumerator's handwriting on the 1901 census is far too harrowing at this time in the morning, so checking the 1911 census instead for nearby house/street names...

Money Lane
...
...
West of Green, Roman Catholic Church
West of Green, shop
Rumbles Alley
West of Green, Roman Catholic School
West of Green, The Crown
Vine House
Near the Swan
....
...
The Swan Inn

Looking at a 1914 Pre-WWII (1:2,500) map of the West Drayton area, the Crown (P.H.) is shown situated next to the R.C. Church, along The Green. Rumbles Alley is not indicated. See old-maps.co.uk (put www in front.)

On Google Maps, the Crown was located roughly about here. I think it may have been the building just before or just after the little alleyway, which you can see if you go into Street View.

According to the following site, the Crown Inn was replaced by a bakery in 1924.

www.
ub7.org/#/old-pubs/4529972325

[patk]

Olliecat, you're a true wonder. I was hoping that the pub in question might have been The Crown at this link http://www.
pubutopia.com/pubs/W/West%20Drayton/The%20Crown/ since it's still in business and in about the same area. Alas, my ancestor's pub is no longer. Although, The Tower Arms, a pub he ran earlier in Iver, is still in place. Thank you so much.

[Peter Goodey]

If you use Ancestry, go the 1881 census.

Enter County=Middlesex; Parish=West Drayton and address=Crown and up comes Rumbles Yard in immaculate handwriting.

By the way, the census doesn't identify whether or not he actually owned the pub. Perhaps you have other evidence. The licensing registers will probably identify the owner.