OBOD descends from the Ancient Druid Order, which was founded in 1717 CE in the Apple Tree Tavern, Covent Garden. In 1964 the old Chief, MacGregor-Reid died, and one group carried on the ADO under the leadership of Thomas Maughan, while another group started the OBOD under the leadership of Ross Nichols. With OBOD, the three grades were taught, and instead of just celebrating the two equinoxes and the Summer Solstice, all eight festivals were celebrated. In 1988, under the leadership of Philip Carr-Gomm, a distance-learning programme was created.