The Rose and Crown is believed to have been built as an ale house in 1810 by Edward Knight the brother of Jane Austen. Edward was Jane Austen's third eldest brother, as a boy he was adopted by the Knight family who were wealthy relatives of the Austens. He took their name and went on to inherit the estates of Chawton (village next door to Farringdon) and Steventon in Hampshire and Godmersham Park in Kent.
The Rose and Crown has been under new management since August 2008. Lyn and Russell Parker both have great experience in the catering and leisure industry. They met while working at Alton House Hotel. Russell had been a chef for 20 years while Lyn had been events co-ordinator and assistant manager in many hotels, including Grayshott Spa.