An old ale house, thought to date back to the seventeenth century or earlier, which later formed part of a much larger inn complex. It only had a beer house licence originally, obtaining its full licence on 5th March 1956. Beer was probably made on the premises. It was greatly altered, partially rebuilt and reduced in size c1930, a further range being demolished in the 1960s. The central part of the Brook Street elevation is probably the oldest surviving part of the building. This is single-storey with an attic dormer window. The gabled section to its south is a mid-20C rebuild. The original leaded casement windows have been replaced.
The inn would have been surrounded by small labourers’ cottages possibly c1820s on each side with stables and farm buildings to the rear, all since demolished.
The earliest known landlord was John Elmy, wheelwright, in 1851, 1861 and 1865. By 1871, Andrew Shimmen, also a wheelwright, had taken over. By 1874 the beer retailer is James Cooper, then Samuel Smith by 1879. By 1891, coal merchant Frederick George Hammond had taken over, followed by 1916 by Herbert Chenery, who continued until at least 1937.
His daughter Ida ran the sweet shop there until she married Charles Kett, butcher at London House & helped him in that business.
Sources
description
list of landlords/residents, though not clear when checking commercial directories until KH mentioned for first time, re Herbert Chenery. So these other names could be at other beer houses?