Northampton's pubs then and now: See if you recognise the town's favourite locals in these vintage photos

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Hundreds of Northampton pubs have come and gone over the decades - and some have stayed exactly the same.

Author Dave Knibb spoke to the Chronicle and Echo this week about his new directory of Northampton's historic pubs - featuring hundreds of classic pictures of the town's favourite watering holes. Here are some of the town's pubs in the old days and how they look today.

The Overstone Arms was granted its license in 1877 and was something of a magnet to groups and societies, including Northampton Trades Council. It was also extended in 1908 when it took over neighbouring pub Cream of the Valley.The Overstone Arms was granted its license in 1877 and was something of a magnet to groups and societies, including Northampton Trades Council. It was also extended in 1908 when it took over neighbouring pub Cream of the Valley.
The Overstone Arms was granted its license in 1877 and was something of a magnet to groups and societies, including Northampton Trades Council. It was also extended in 1908 when it took over neighbouring pub Cream of the Valley.
The Arms struggled in the post-war years - but it bounced back after it was renamed The Lamplighter in 1988. Today, it is an award-winning pub with a reputation for live music.The Arms struggled in the post-war years - but it bounced back after it was renamed The Lamplighter in 1988. Today, it is an award-winning pub with a reputation for live music.
The Arms struggled in the post-war years - but it bounced back after it was renamed The Lamplighter in 1988. Today, it is an award-winning pub with a reputation for live music.
The Rifle Drum has seen several names over the centuries, including The Drums, and The Crown. It only had customer toilets installed for the first time in 1938.The Rifle Drum has seen several names over the centuries, including The Drums, and The Crown. It only had customer toilets installed for the first time in 1938.
The Rifle Drum has seen several names over the centuries, including The Drums, and The Crown. It only had customer toilets installed for the first time in 1938.
Today, the Rifle Drum looks much the same as it did 100 years ago. It is "the last survivor" of Northampton's small pubs and buying a drink there is to stand in a pub that could be up to 500 years old.Today, the Rifle Drum looks much the same as it did 100 years ago. It is "the last survivor" of Northampton's small pubs and buying a drink there is to stand in a pub that could be up to 500 years old.
Today, the Rifle Drum looks much the same as it did 100 years ago. It is "the last survivor" of Northampton's small pubs and buying a drink there is to stand in a pub that could be up to 500 years old.
Once known as The Plasterer's Arms, the Black Lion was popular with actors from the Derngate theatre. But it rose to prominence when former Saints Captain Mr Edward Shadrack Dunkley became landlord in 1901 and ran the pub for 44 years.Once known as The Plasterer's Arms, the Black Lion was popular with actors from the Derngate theatre. But it rose to prominence when former Saints Captain Mr Edward Shadrack Dunkley became landlord in 1901 and ran the pub for 44 years.
Once known as The Plasterer's Arms, the Black Lion was popular with actors from the Derngate theatre. But it rose to prominence when former Saints Captain Mr Edward Shadrack Dunkley became landlord in 1901 and ran the pub for 44 years.
The pub became a mecca for live bands in the 50s and still hosts bands today, but is now best known for its sports coverage and heated garden.The pub became a mecca for live bands in the 50s and still hosts bands today, but is now best known for its sports coverage and heated garden.
The pub became a mecca for live bands in the 50s and still hosts bands today, but is now best known for its sports coverage and heated garden.
The Black Lion's formidable landlord 'Teddy' Dunkley is pictured here relaxing in his pub's garden.The Black Lion's formidable landlord 'Teddy' Dunkley is pictured here relaxing in his pub's garden.
The Black Lion's formidable landlord 'Teddy' Dunkley is pictured here relaxing in his pub's garden.
The Wig and Pen's popular heated, covered garden.The Wig and Pen's popular heated, covered garden.
The Wig and Pen's popular heated, covered garden.
A true village green pub, the King Billy was set on the corner of The Green in Kingsthorpe. It was well known for using the village green for summer fetes - one such event attracted up to 4,000 people in 1849.A true village green pub, the King Billy was set on the corner of The Green in Kingsthorpe. It was well known for using the village green for summer fetes - one such event attracted up to 4,000 people in 1849.
A true village green pub, the King Billy was set on the corner of The Green in Kingsthorpe. It was well known for using the village green for summer fetes - one such event attracted up to 4,000 people in 1849.
Sadly, the King Billy was sold by owners Enterprise Inns and closed forever in December 2016. There were rumours it would be sold to developers but instead was reportedly bought by a local couple who turned it into a house.Sadly, the King Billy was sold by owners Enterprise Inns and closed forever in December 2016. There were rumours it would be sold to developers but instead was reportedly bought by a local couple who turned it into a house.
Sadly, the King Billy was sold by owners Enterprise Inns and closed forever in December 2016. There were rumours it would be sold to developers but instead was reportedly bought by a local couple who turned it into a house.
Fish Street is so called because fishmongers were commanded to move their stalls there in 1585 to keep the smell of fish off the market. No one knows how old Fish Inn itself is, and earliest records mention it in 1824.Fish Street is so called because fishmongers were commanded to move their stalls there in 1585 to keep the smell of fish off the market. No one knows how old Fish Inn itself is, and earliest records mention it in 1824.
Fish Street is so called because fishmongers were commanded to move their stalls there in 1585 to keep the smell of fish off the market. No one knows how old Fish Inn itself is, and earliest records mention it in 1824.
Today, the Market Tavern is the number one rated pub in Northampton for nightlife in TripAdvisor.Today, the Market Tavern is the number one rated pub in Northampton for nightlife in TripAdvisor.
Today, the Market Tavern is the number one rated pub in Northampton for nightlife in TripAdvisor.
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