The frontage of the Crown in the 18th century were markedly different from today. The building then stood end-on to the street, and on the east side was attached to the premises of the George Inn. Between them the  buildings were partly set back from the road to form a front courtyard. If the Crown had any stables, these would have been on the west side which remained an open yard with access through the lane later known as Barrett’s Buildings. During the later half of the 19th century it was owned successively by two engineer millwrights, James Barrett (from about 1834 to 1883) and James B.Blackmore (from 1884 to 1900), both of whom ran an engineering works by the Upper Mill. It was Barrett who presumably installed the present frontage after the building was detached from the George (described below) in 1832. It was also during his time, about 1870, that the inn was renamed the ‘Old’ Crown. Despite these alterations, the Crown remains the only survivor of the three inns that once served the traffic on the 18th century turnpike road.

A view taken in the 1930s, showing the Twerton Club and Institute and the Crown Inn on the left. In the distance can be seen the frontage of Ivy Villa and Ivy Lodge.