65 High Street

Markyate

Hertfordshire

Above photo, 1st October 1944.

This one has been sent by Mark Graham and the pub on the left is the "Plough," but exactly where?

Mark points out that the steam lorry has a Kent registration mark of "D". It is certainly owned by Lyons tea and it says Cadby Hall, Kensington, so must have travelled from there, so is likely to be North West Kent. He also says the tallest building on the right is also quite distinctive in that it seems to have an arched window and a small round window on the upper story.

Lyons tea by the way was a company formed in 1904 and stared out selling their tea in tea shops. In 1918 they bought out Hornimans and in 1921 moved their factory to Greenford, West London.

On my postcard of the Plough above, further examination has revealed that the second lorry in the background also has a Kent “D” plate and is a Maple & Co furniture delivery lorry.

I was starting to wonder about The Plough in Sutton High Street, Surrey but as the street is pedestrianised I haven’t been able to visit on Google maps.

Mark has finally solved the mystery I am glad to say, but it's not a Kent pub unfortunately. This one is located at 65 High Street, Markyate in Hertfordshire. Mark has also found another photo of the pub.

Above photo, date unknown.

The building is now known as Old Plough House.

Above Google image, August 2016.

Above Google image 2025.