Hernes pub to become office

A historic pub named after a ghostly legend is set to become offices for an advertising agency.

The Hernes Oak, named after Herne the Hunter, in Winkfield closed in January.

New owner Life Health Care Communications is waiting for planning permission before it moves into the premises which are said to be haunted.

Rumour has it the spectre of Herne returns every winter to ride on his black stallion around Windsor Forest.

Design director Ben Blackman said: “The building we are currently in is also haunted so staff are used to working late at night with ghosts for company.

“We will make sure everyone knows there could be some out-of-hours company though.”

The legend of Herne dates back to the 14th century. A hunter for  King Richard II, he was found hanging from a tree after he was framed for poaching.

He haunted Windsor Forest and it was only when the two men who framed him were executed that deer returned to the forest.

The tree Herne hanged himself on was chopped down by King Richard II but a replacement was planted in 1906 by King Edward VII to mark the tragedy, which can be seen today in Windsor Forest.

Mr Blackman added: “We used to go to the pub for a few drinks and will definitely be keeping the history of the building alive.

“We know all about the story of Herne’s ghost. I think one of the pub signs is totally corroded so will have to be taken down but the other one will stay up.

“The front of the pub will also stay the same. We are a creative business so it works well for us to be based in such a quirky building.”

A spokeswoman for former owner Enterprise Inns said: “Please be assured that we never sell any of our pubs without careful thought and consideration.

“Unfortunately, although we worked hard to make this pub a viable business there simply was not enough support locally and we had to reconsider the pub's future.”

- Would you have liked to see the Hernes Oak kept as a pub?