The lost Pubs, Inns and Taverns of Hadleigh
Having been photographing some of the many Listed buildings in Hadleigh, I was surprised at the number of inns, taverns, pubs etc which have been in the town over the years. Then I came across a site called `The Lost Pubs of Hadleigh` and was taken by the idea of photographing all that I could find; bearing in mind that some have been demolished and some are noted, but there is no certainty as to where they actually were situated. There are 21 in total that are listed here, but I understand that there are others of more uncertain nature which may have been inns or pubs.
However, here is my effort, starting with what to me was a big surprise! - the ex Council Offices.
The Anchor - Bridge Street
This pub / beer house managed to go through a few names in its time:
Between 1661 & 1835 it was called the Standard**
Between 1837 & 1871 it was called the Barley Mow**
Between 1871 & 1927 it was called the Anchor**
One landlady was named as Elisabeth Scrivener, and is recorded at the Barley Mow, in another pub located in Benton Street in 1844 (later called the Falcon) but by 1855 she is recorded here, when this beer house was also called the Barley Mow. It was rebuilt by 1892, when it was recorded as the Anchor.
In more modern times, we have all known it as part of the Council Offices.
The Alma - 43 High Street.
Owners Daniels brewery offered this license to be surrendered in 1897 so that Three Tuns could be opened seven days a week. The Three Tuns is further along the High Street but on the opposite side of the road. I was a bit surprised that a pub was allowed to open every day in Victorian times.
Comparing modern and old maps, it seems the original building has been demolished and the building on site now is more modern. I thought this didn`t look like a pub!
The Black Swan - 4 Benton Street
The current building possibly dates from 1839, but replaced an earlier one on the same site that dates back to the early 17th century. The pub was called the Swan before 1870. The Black Swan is shown on the 1958 OS map but seems to have gone by the 1968 and subsequent maps, so presumably closed between those dates. It is now residential.
By 1924 it was owned by Cobbold's Brewery (but had been sold by them by 1961).
Just as an aside - in 1836 John Clark (landlord of the Swan) was reported in the Ipswich Journal as being arrested for receiving a stolen horse.
The Falcon - 63 Benton Street
The Falcon was called the Barley Mow until about 1844. Reputedly the name changed at about the time that the pub was purchased by Falcon Brewery (of Ipswich), who liked to call most of their pubs by that name. Not to be confused with Barley Mow listed in Bridge St (later the Anchor).
It is now residential and was closed as a pub around 1990 - 1991.
The Fishmongers Arms - 70 Benton Street
Although several sites say that this was a pub, I could find no information about it, apart from old maps having it marked. No dates, nothing!
However, I then stumbled on a local history site, which gave me a quote from an elderly gentleman, dated 2002: "I remember a lot of pubs - long since closed down, like the Fishmonger’s Arms in Benton where you could also win a basket of freshly caught fish, by spinning an arrow on a wheel for the lucky number."
Flying Chariot - 92 Benton Street
This building is recorded as a former inn in the Listed Buildings Register. It's shown on OS maps as early as 1885 as "Flying Chariot", but not marked as a pub (by contrast, the nearby King's Arms is clearly marked as an inn), so may have closed before that date.
The building dates from the 16th century, but most features are from the 17th. It's one of the most beautifully pargetted buildings in the town.
Kings Arms - Benton Street
The building is now residential and dates mainly from the 16th and 17th centuries. A local nickname of the pub was the "Monkey", and it closed in 1993.
"John Whisley Ayers, auctioneer and appraiser, begs publicly to announce his most grateful thanks to his friends and customers for their unbounded liberality since his commencement in the business of the King's Arms Inn, Hadleigh, and confidently assures them, nothing on his part shall be wanting to make them comfortable, and ensure a continuance of their future favours, also informs them that he has laid in a good stock of fine old wines, spirits, cordials, cyder, porter, and old beer, which he is determined to sell on the lowest terms. Note! Housekeepers may be supplied with fine old porter, by sending their casks."
Ipswich Journal, June 1815
Moulders Arms - George Street
There is some doubt about the exact position of this one, as on a late Victorian census it is listed as next door to the Kings Head in the High Street. So, did it move? Although the two buildings are very close to each other, they are not side by side.
So, although this might not be the original building, there certainly was a pub of that name nearby, if not actually here. As for its name? It was given its name referring to the iron foundry once located behind the building.
Shoulder of Mutton - 124a High Street
Interestingly in1805 a lady called Mary Aldridge was the landlord. The pub closed in the 1950s.
"The annual show of lambs will be held at the Shoulder of Mutton Inn, Hadleigh, on the 19 August 1805; when the company of gentlemen breeders, graziers, deniers in lambs, and the public in general, will be esteemed a favour, by their humble servant, Mary Aldridge. A good ordinary will be provided at 2pm."
Ipswich Journal, Aug 1805
The Three Tuns - 106 High Street
This pub closed in 1911 and is now in residential use. It used to brew its own beer; the well used for this still remains and is under a covenant on the house that it cannot be altered.
The Wheatsheaf - 4 High Street
"At the Hadleigh Petty Sessions in March 1875, an extension in time of one hour was granted to Mr Edward Wilson, the landlord of the Wheatsheaf, Hadleigh, the occasion being the anniversary dinner of the Oddfellows’ Lodge."
Ipswich Journal, March 1875
Closed in 1995, this is now an office of a Financial Advisor, although it has been a B&B in recent years.
The White Horse - Stone Street
It was hit by a German bomb during an air raid about June 1940 - but evidently wasn't badly damaged as the pub continued trading.
In 1956 permission was granted to erect petrol pumps on this site when part of the business also then traded as a "Regent" garage.
Closed as the White Horse in 2002 it was subsequently used as an antiques shop and private residence. In July 2012 the pub reverted to its original name after a few years trading as the Donkey (its long time nickname).
After opening and closing a few times, it closed again for the last time early in 2013. The building was converted into a carpet showroom, which itself has since closed.
The White Lion Hotel - High Street
A former Commercial Inn & Posting House, now converted into a number of flats. The building retains many original features both at the front and in a small enclosed central courtyard. Sadly a fire in 2011 damaged part of building to the rear of the property.
A Survey of Suffolk Parish History tells us that there a records of a bowling green opening at the White Lion in 1754, so we can be sure the inn was extant prior to that. Although the façade only dates from the 18th century, the Listed Buildings Register says that the building probably dates from the 16th or 17th century.
"Robert Beales (late waiter at the White Hart in Colchester) begs leave to inform the public that he has taken and entered the White Lion at Hadleigh and has laid in an entire fresh stock of wine and liquors etc"
Ipswich Journal, 2 Feb 1782
Queens Head - 149 Angel Street
This old Coaching Inn was closed about 1750 - probable. The date 1713 and initials "TTM" appear on the front wall. It's recorded that there used to be a malthouse at the rear and TTM stood for "Thomas Thrower Maltings".
It isn't marked as an inn on any available OS map (at least as early as 1885) so must have closed a long time ago, 1750 being the best approximation.
The Pickerel
No, this is not an error! The Threadneedle Street side of the current Eight Bells was once The Pickerel, which closed before 1840. A similar situation to the one below.
The Angel in Angel Street.
The Angel is known to date back to at least 1474. It has now been incorporated into the King's Head. It closed before 1840.
The Star - 20 Angel Street
The Star, or Ship and Star is a pub that was associated with an adjacent brewery, and also traded as Sorrel Horse. Cannot find any information, not even when it closed!
To finish, here are the names of some of the now demolished inns or pubs that are known to have existed.
The Drum - Angel Street - now demolished. Closed 1782
Shoulder of Mutton - Pound Lane. This pub pre-dates the Shoulder of Mutton on the High Street. It is recorded back in the 18th century. Now demolished?
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