PICTURES: Take a look at SIX old Northampton pubs and the fascinating history behind them - including riots, bar fights and watered down spirits
These snaps of historic Northampton pubs have been dug up from the archives by local historian Dave Knibb
By Logan MacLeod
Published 29th Apr 2022, 16:01 BST
Updated 3rd May 2022, 07:20 BST
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 Northampton author of 'Last Orders: A History and Directory of Northampton Pubs' - show some of Northampton's old stomping grounds.
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. Shipmans in Drapery
Dave said: "Although not the oldest pub in Northampton, there is a fairly strong case to say the Shipmans is the most famous to the town’s inhabitants. The Peacock and George had national fame as Inns but the Shipmans was purely and simply a pub. It didn’t pre date the 1675 Fire and didn’t appear in the immediate rebuilding of the town, but opened sometime in the early to mid 1700’s as the Roebuck. At the time of writing, the pub is shut, it has been for a few years now. Plans are underway for it to be reopened with as much of the traditional interior being restored and retained." Photo: Dave Knibb
Dave said: "The Clinton Arms started as a Working Men’s Club in 1897. The pub thrived over the years and I’m fairly sure that it would still be trading today if it wasn’t for its location. As Jack Plowman so eloquently said, “it was lost to the Great God Car”. The roundabout between St Leonard’s Road, Towcester Road and the retail parks claimed it and it closed in January 1985. Such a great shame." Photo: Dave Knibb
Dave said: "The Flying Horse was in the list of 16th & 17thCentury pubs and was rebuilt after the 1675 Fire. Nothing really changed over the years apart from the landlords until a new one changed its name in February 1867 to the Lord Palmerston who had first became Foreign Secretary in 1830. On October 6th 1874, a by-election saw Charles Bradlaugh defeated which enraged his supporters. Many had been hanging around the town all day and when the election result was announced by the Town Crier at the Town Hall in front of several thousand people, the rioting began. The Lord Palmerston was the first target along with its neighbour, the Herald Printing Office. The Lord Palmerston eventually became the Lamplighter in 1973 before closing in 1980, which at that time, meant that for the first time in the Market Square’s history, it had no pub." Photo: Dave Knibb