June 2022 - Handpumps still in place, Doom Bar clip turned round.
Closed briefly in early 2018 when taken over by Ei Group's Craft Union Pub Co division. Now reopened with new monochrome fascias but otherwise mostly unchanged.
The previous refit was only carried out in October 2013. Tables outside in front for use in nice weather. The locale of Gospel Oak, where it is situated, refers back to a tree under which parishioners gathered to hear an annual gospel reading - a continuation of a pre-Christian practice. Gospel oaks also acted as boundary markers with clergy giving Bible readings as part of the traditional annual ceremony of the Beating of the Bounds. There used to be an eel/shellfish stall in front of this pub - long gone now, alas.
Historic Interest
Locally listed:- "The Old Oak is a 1950s building using Georgian architectural language built with decent materials and a high level of craft. The two-story building built of Flemish bond solid brick work, has a steeply pitching main roof with a distinctive ‘Lutyenesque‘ chimney stack. It features well-proportioned Georgian-style windows, well-thought out string detailing, entrance doors with decorative mouldings. The interior of the pub has been modernised but some of the original internal detailing remains – in particular the moulded architraves and doors. It shows the influence of its architect Robert Lutyens’ renowned father, Sir Edwin Lutyens. Robert Lutyens was a distinguished modern architect, interior designer and furniture designer in his own right. He designed Marks and Spencer’s flagship HQ in Baker Street and is closely associated with the design branding of Marks and Spencer. The Old Oak, the two shops next to it and the brick-built Overground station form a small hub that indicates an identifiable area. The pub itself forms a corner marker. The current building replaced an earlier building destroyed in the Second World War. The original Old Oak is shown on 1860s maps making it probably the first communal building in the development of Gospel Oak."
This Pub serves no changing beers and 1 regular beer.
Old Oak, Hampstead