Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visits Hook Norton Brewery
Royal visit arranged by the Oxfordshire Lieutenancy marks brewery’s historic restoration
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited Hook Norton Brewery in Oxfordshire today, in a visit arranged by the Oxfordshire Lieutenancy to mark a significant chapter in the history of one of England’s last remaining family-owned Victorian tower breweries.
Schoolchildren lined the route as Her Royal Highness arrived at the main entrance on Brewery Lane, where she was received by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Mrs Marjorie Glasgow BEM.
The Hook Norton Brass Band played as Mrs Glasgow presented the Chairman, Mr Jonathan Paveley, and Managing Director, Mr James Clarke, alongside a group of schoolchildren reflecting the brewery’s longstanding connection with the local community. The visit held particular significance as Her Royal Highness last visited Hook Norton Brewery in 1999, when she unveiled a plaque that now stands in the Visitors Centre.
During today’s visit, she passed that same plaque before touring the brewery’s museum, retail facilities, restaurant, Engine Room and the newly restored Stable Courtyard.
The Princess Royal met staff, Directors, local representatives and community figures during her tour, including Banbury MP Sean Woodcock, Oxfordshire County Council Chair, Councillor Ted Fenton, Chair of Cherwell District Council Councillor Nigel Simpson, and the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, Mr Jawaid Malik.
In the Stable Courtyard, Her Royal Highness met those involved in the brewery’s recent restoration project following the devastating fire in 2024, before proceeding to the stables to meet Hook Norton’s three celebrated Shire horses, Balmoral, Brigadier and Cromwell. She was accompanied by representatives of the Shire Horse Society.
The visit concluded with Her Royal Highness unveiling a new plaque to mark the restoration, signing the visitor’s book and receiving a gift and posy.
Mr James Clarke, Managing Director of Hook Norton Brewery, said:
“It was an absolute honour to welcome Her Royal Highness to the Brewery. The occasion was to celebrate the Brewery’s 175th Anniversary, delayed by the stables fire in 2024. As well as a celebration of the Brewery, it was also very much a celebration of community, and the Brewery’s longstanding relationship.”
Speaking after the visit, Mrs Glasgow said: “Hook Norton Brewery is one of Oxfordshire’s great treasures, and it was a real honour to welcome The Princess Royal back, nearly 27 years after her last visit, to see how it has continued to thrive. Her Royal Highness took a genuine interest in everyone she met, from the brewery’s long-serving staff to the schoolchildren who came to welcome her, and that warmth was very much felt by all present.
Days like this remind us of the important role our historic institutions play in the life of a community, and we are delighted that the Oxfordshire Lieutenancy was able to arrange such a memorable occasion.”
