These snaps of historic Northampton pubs have been dug up from the archives by local historian Dave Knibb
So many fondly-remembered Northampton pubs have shut their doors over the years but are still in the memories of their customers.
These photos - researched by Dave Knibb, the author of 'Last Orders: A History and Directory of Northampton Pubs' - show some of Northampton's historic stomping grounds, with some still open!
Dave's self-published book has sold more than 2,000 copies. Call 07939990790 or email [email protected] to buy a copy.
Dave's self-published book has sold more than 2,000 copies. Call 07939990790 or email [email protected] to buy a copy.
5. Rose and Punchbowl in Marefair
Dave said: "The Rose & Punchbowl opened at some point in the 1700s. Its earliest mention in the Mercury came in 1782 when it was available to let and was already in full trade. Marefair was a busy thoroughfare during the 19th Century and all the pubs along there were most definitely working class. The Rose & Punchbowl typified this, thefts and disturbances were commonplace and the turnover of landlords was also high. Marefair had been rebuilt bit by bit many times over the years and it was decided to rebuild the northern stretch near to the Horsemarket in the late 1890s, widening the road at the same time. The landlord had applied to rebuild the Rose & Punchbowl when the work was to be done in 1897 and approval was granted, but by the time it was demolished the following year things had changed and the pub disappeared with the rubble." Photo: Dave Knibb
Dave said: "The Welcome Inn is a rarity in Grafton Street, although no longer a pub, the building still stands. Beginning life as the Hero Of Scotland in the 1840s and later the Wallace for a short time, it was the Welcome by the late 1880s. Apart from a couple of illegal boxing matches taking part in the upstairs meeting room, there wasn’t much to mark the Welcome out from anywhere else. The Welcome was linked with prostitution and the surrounding area was notorious as a red light district from the 1970s onwards. It limped into the 21st Century, was briefly the Motown (no, I don’t know why either) and is now a no frills hotel known as the Grafton Rooms." Photo: Dave Knibb
Dave said: "Every time I drive through Kingsthorpe I pass the White Horse, closed down and left to rot. Such a sad end to a place that was once visited by royalty, long, long ago. I don’t know when the White Horse first opened, but it was the most important Inn in Kingsthorpe long before the Cock Hotel first opened in the 1500’s. It was nationally famous for its immaculate Bowling Greens where the Good Shepherd School grounds stand. It was reportedly visited by King Charles I when he was being held in captivity at Holdenby in the early part of 1647, before his eventual trial and execution in 1649. His son, Charles II was restored to the throne in 1660 and, being a bowls fan, also was alleged to have visited it during his reign. The rebuilt White Horse closed down in 2009 but I don’t see it reopening like it did in the 19th Century." Photo: Dave Knibb