9 brilliant photos of Wolverhampton pub enjoying special birthday - 120 years serving community

It was a day for the public to come together and celebrate a notable birthday of an historic city pub.

The beer was flowing, the music was playing and there was a feeling of fun in the air at the Royal Oak in Chapel Ash in Wolverhampton on Saturday as the pub celebrated its 120th anniversary.

Records show a public house has stood on the Chapel Ash site since the early 1800s, originally operating as a modest alehouse with stables and a coach yard, then, in Victorian times, one landlord even ran a funeral and undertaking business from the pub’s back yard.

In 1906, the pub was rebuilt by the then Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries, transforming it into the striking red‑brick, corner‑towered landmark that still stands today.

Original plans show rooms including a smoke room, coffee room and upstairs book club, reflecting The Royal Oak’s long‑standing role as a social hub for the local community.

On Saturday, the pub hosted a full day of ambitious challenges, live music and celebrations to support the Midland Freewheelers Blood Bikers, with a 120‑mile motorbike ride, a 120km relay involving 24 local runners, a 20‑mile cycle challenge around the city and a netball tournament hosted at Wolverhampton Grammar School.

At the pub, there was a full day of live music and street food provided by local favourites The Hamper Camper.

We’ve picked out the best photos from Saturday to show the celebration and the people enjoying the day.