The Cross Keys is "A common sign in Christian heraldry, referring to St Peter, to whom Jesus said: 'I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven'. The papal arms show crossed keys, and they occur again the arms of various bishops …. where the cathedral in each case is dedicated to St Peter." (The Wordsworth Dictionary of Pub Names 2006, published by Wordsworth Editions Ltd, Ware, Hertfordshire SG12 9HJ). In recent years, the pub sign had been neglected, but in December 2008 it was returned to its former glory by local trompe l'oeil specialist, Simon Durrant of SJD Murals.
The history of the pub was researched by a local author, Eric Rees, who wrote a small booklet titled "My Local History – Story of the "Cross Keys", Harpenden and its environs in 1970. Mr Rees relates that "In the 13th century a guest house belonging to Westminster Abbey existed on the site of the present "Cross Keys". This would make sense, because Westminster Abbey is dedicated to St Peter, its correct name being "The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster". He also says that the guest house did not survive beyond the 15th century and the current main bar was erected in the 16th century, and that the small bar was built in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Mr Rees evidently spent some time with the then landlord and landlady, Reg and Brenda Johnson, who took over the pub in 1961. The booklet relates ghost stories of a group of monks, a spinning ashtray and a missing tartan skirt and clothes brush (cited by Betty Puttick in her book "Ghosts of Hertfordshire", first published by Countryside Books in 1994 and still in print).
Prior to having its own premises, the pub was the headquarters of the Harpenden Rugby Club, and is still frequented by players and members of the club.
The pub has been at the centre of Harpenden life for a very long time, and some of our regular customers have continued their family's tradition of making the pub their "local".