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 the Northampton's old stomping grounds.
Do you remember stopping for a drink in any of them?
Dave's self-published book has sold more than 2,000 copies. Call 07939990790 or email [email protected], to buy a copy.
5. White Horse in Harborough Road, Kingsthorpe
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 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."
6. Duke of Edinburgh in Adelaide Street
Dave said: "Just about qualifying as a Semilong pub, the Duke Of Edinburgh was close enough to the Barrack Road to get trade from the Barracks as well as being a ‘local’. The first mention came back in 1860 when it was called the Royal George. The first few years consisted of Mr Fox letting people drink ‘after hours’ and Mrs Fox going to court to plead guilty and saying her husband was ill and didn’t know what he was doing, a decent little double act. By the 1870’s it was the ‘Duke’ and stayed that way until it closed. I’m not sure of the closing date but I had a pint in there once so I’m guessing it was the 1990’s or so."
7. Spotted Dog in Kingsthorpe Road
Dave said: "One of four pubs that were quite literally within a stones throw of each other in Kingsthorpe Hollow (along with the Freehold Arms, Victoria Tavern and White Lion), the Spotted Dog was on the corner of Alpha Street. It earliest mention came in 1871 and it didn’t do a lot to attract any particular attention to it apart from the long association of the Poultney family. Charles William Poultney took over the Spotted Dog in 1902. He and his wife Harriet were to remain there for the rest of their lives. When the Spotted Dog lost its licence in June 1951, it was said that ‘this little house has served its day and generation’."
8. Spotted Dog in Grafton Street
Dave said: "This particular Spotted Dog was towards the bottom of Grafton Street (Crane Street was once the name of the lower part) on the corner of Monks Pond Road. The earliest mention comes from 1860 and everything I found out about it smacks of respectability, avoiding the pitfalls and troubles of many of its near neighbours in the area. I did see a vague, unsubstantiated claim that there was a secret cock fighting pit inside, extremely unlikely. The Spotted Dog closed down in 1971 as the area was cleared for redevelopment, but as it took slightly longer to close down than anticipated, its last days saw it standing in splendid isolation."