So many Public Houses

Further to the various reminiscences about the White Hart and other Bagshot pubs. The late Lionel Parr recalls that around 1930, when he believes Bagshot was home for fewer than 2000 souls, the following pubs existed:

Previously, there had also been

  • Duke of Wellington, in College Ride, closed about 1929, now a private house. Graham adds that if you look carefully on the front of the building you can see the shaped moulding were the pub name used to be. [Aug 11]
  • Bell & Crown, opposite Yaverlands, which had closed by 1928. However it still had the plank or old fascia screwed to the front of the building that had borne the name. There was a garage at the end of the terrace. Hope this enables you to locate the place.
  • Half Moon, which had closed long before 1928. It was in the street of the same name. Tramps and gentlemen of the road congregated there.
  • Red Lion
  • Shoulder of Mutton  & Parfett Brewery

Of Lionel's list of nine pubs in 1930, eight still exist.  The Jolly Farmer is no more (now a golf shop), and the Hero was rebuilt as the Windle Brook. Can you add anything.  Please use the message pad below to reply. There is more about the White Hart here.

Roland has identified another pub  "Ever heard of the 'HIT & MISS' before? It's in a mid-C19th census." [Feb 16]  


Three Mariners pub

a long old building rendered cream colour

Chris asks: Does anyone know why there seems to be a strong sea connection in Bagshot? There is or was a shipping company there. Also why is the pub named The Three Mariners?

The late Alan Gosden told us: "My grandfather always said the Three Mariners pub was so named after the 3 ex-sailors who owned it in the late 18th/early 19th century."

and David writes: When you go into the Three Mariners, you can't help but notice the timber piles supporting the building. This timber is over 150 years old and was originally from a ship. If you go into the Mariners, they have found a document explaining the history of the pub.

Ron Frost recounts a rather macabre story: I read something about the site of the "Three Mariners" car park. On VE day evening, 8th May 1945, a very large bonfire was lit on that ground. Hundreds of people came to celebrate the victory in Europe and as you can expect, most were well inebriated. As the fire was dying down a bit, two young Canadian soldiers from Bagshot Park camp, tried to jump over the fire whilst holding hands. Both fell in the fire a died - this, as you can imagine, stopped the celabrations for many people.  [612.0206]  

Location.

Courtesy of her mother, Lyn  provides us with these memories from the time her grandparents ran the Three Mariners pub [647.406 647.1206 X]

My mother remembers sleeping in a bedroom in the pub that had a hole in the wall which was reputed to be Dick Turpin's hidey hole - as he was supposed to frequent the pub on his route to London.

This was during the last world war, when my great grandmother (Mrs Rebecca Stevens - known to locals as Becky) and her two sons, Henry and Daniel, owned the pub.  Becky came from Chiswick, London, but she was in Bagshot at the outbreak of the war.  

During her 'reign' the locals will remember her holding local 'musical evenings' with live entertainment; and talent competitions - see Bagshot had the X-Factor too!!

During the war years evacuees from London used to come down to the Three Mariners]to get a night or two's sleep from the bombing, and so after the music had finished for the night, out would come the camp beds into the bar areas, where the weary could sleep.

Needless to say at opening time the pub was always full of soldiers, Canadians and Free French, and later on Americans, as well as British. Our soldiers had tents in fields behind Bagshot Railway Station. When it was their turn to go overseas Becky would set up a table outside the pub, so that the troups could be given free drinks as they started their journey, Becky, Danny and family, wishing them all well. A lot of those soldiers returned to visit her in the pub and bring news of those less fortunate. A Canadian wrote to Becky after the war, enclosing a snap shot of an oil painting of the Three Mariners that he had in his sitting room in Canada - I don't know who did the painting I assume it was the soldier.

Another very memorable occasion your villagers may remember; was on V.E. Day, when Mr Stan Hurst (milkman) was delivering the milk with his horse and cart (it looked more like a chariot!). Becky, thrilled with news war was finishing, decided to do a lap of honour round the village in celebration! So in her best 'Bodicea' mode, she jumped on the back of the milk 'chartiot' and woke the horse up - however, the pub was the last stop before his dinner, back at the farm, and the horse bolted!!

The local police officer in charge was Sgt Lowe, and any major crisis would see him coming along on his bike.  On one occasion my graet grandmother called the police when the pub was being burgled - by the time that Sgt Lowe had arrived she had apprehended the burglar, sat him down and had a drink with him, and promptly forgave him!

On her retirement in the 1950's, Becky handed 'the Mariners' over to my grandmother Caroline (Carrie) Tobutt  / Chisholm.  Carrie was the mother of Elsie and Albert Tobutt, who as children, used to entertain the troops together with their father Albie Tobutt. As a teenager, my mother, Elsie Perkins (formerly Tobutt) used to help behind the bar.

Derek has added "Lyn's reference to the hole in the wall at the Three Mariners and the reference to Dick Turpin is quite interesting. My grandmother lived in an old house a bit further down and when we were young my cousin and I played in one of the old rooms upstairs. This also had a hole in the wall and you could crawl all the way through across the attics of the other houses and finish up in the Three Mariners!! The old house also had stables (sadly now pulled down) which was reputedly used by Dick Turpin!!"  Feb10

Which prompted Robert Allen "I was reading Derek's note about the old house and stable next door to the Mariners.  I lived there for about 11 years - my grand-father operated a removal company and green grocers under the name of Gordon Lamb. There was a hole in the wall and my grandmother told me the same story, that Dick Turpin use to hide in the special room hidden in the attic. My father found a sword which if I can remember was given to the local historian, whose name I think was Mr Poulter. Whatever happened to it Ido not know. My sister Gillian and I spent many years playing and having fun in the old store room at the back of the shop. It is sad that they restored the pub and pulled down the old store. Many of my old friends, I am sure, remember playing on rainey days in the old store room. Oct10

Graham has contributed "I was the mechanic at Hart Dene garage from 1969 till 1975 and I used to have the occasional tea break at Connie's cafe opposite the Three Mariners. She told me that on the site her cafe stood was once an inn and according to the deeds for her property was back before the Three Mariners became an inn. She also told me that the road outside joining Bridge Road was a closed courtyard and this is now the front of the buildings used to be the rear entrances. The front entrances were in what is now Half Moon Street which carried on across a ford and later the first wooden bridge was erected. As time pastsed, Half Moon Street was blanked off and the courtyard at the rear was opened up and the front entrances to the buildings were moved to where they are today."

You may use the message pad below to add to any of these stories


Kings Arms Inn

Hotel on left, shops of right, ornate lamp post in foreground.Some time between 1920 and 1970 the old Kings Arms was demolished and a Kings Arms new built further back from the High Street.  The photo on the right shows the old building. David has written saying that his grandfather was licensee of the Kings Arms back in the 1920s.  He would like to find out more about the old hotel, and especially when it was rebuilt in its present location. ref337

Location present and previous (view on NLS mapping and choose the map "OS 25 inch 1892-1914" in the pull=down menu for 'choose an historic map'. The Kings Arms is marked as 'hotel' and is close up to the High Street).

A former Bagshot schoolboy has reduced the time-span by 12 years: The Kings Arms was certainly further back in 1958. I drank my first pint (Watneys Red Barrel) in there in the back bar at the age of 15. On occasions the Morris dancers would appear and dance in the car park at the front of the pub, between the building and the bus shelter.

And Dave Brightman writes from Linconshire to narrow down the date a bit more: The Kings Arms was certainly in its present position in 1954 and looked as though it had been for many years. I went out with the landlords daughter, Vida Nicholls.

Lionel Parr believes the Kings Arms was rebuilt between 1937 and 1939. He was going to school at Camberley on the bus at this time and thus passed the old pub building.

Finally, I have this from another correspondent: My mother, who is now 83, reliably informs me that the Kings was moved in 1936. It was previously attached to what is now the dry cleaners and was rebuilt to its present position because it was on the bend and the pub sign used to overhang the High Street!

Thanks to all the contributors.


Jolly Farmer Pub

The Jolly Farmer / Golden Farmer was just outside the parish boundary on the London Road towards Camberley. For some years it traded as "The Mongolian Barbecue" (part of a food and drink chain) but closed in 2001. It is now a golf shop.  The name is attributed to a highwayman who lived nearby.  Location.

A correspondent (for whom I no longer have a contact address) wrote asking if anyone knows how long the existing building has been there and when the name changed from the Golden Farmer. Also any ideas on which brewery the pub was run through and when exactly it shut ref 229

Allend thinks that the Jolly Farmer was a Courage house when he frequented the pub in the 1960's. 661.0306

Lynda's husband remembers Friary Meux being the brewery when he used to drink there, and adds that the last landlord of The Jolly Farmer was Peter Hutcheson who then ran the Swan at Thatcham in Berkshire. 697.906

From local historian Ken Clarke [Nov 12]

The Jolly Farmer closed in 1996 and in November became The Mongolian Barbeque. In my history of licenced premises of all 33 pubs in Frimley and Camberley I have traced the licensee's from 1822, although according to George Poulter, William Davis, the highwayman was hanged and gibbeted in front of the premises in 1690, and it is shown on a map of 1729, to the north of the turnpike road. The Golden Farmer, it allegedly changed to The Jolly Farmer in 1823, is mentioned in a book by The Hon. John Byng, 1781/94. In 1891 it was owned by Friary Holroyd and Healys Brewery, who paid £2,100 for the premises. Anything else do get in contact.

Roland has identified a lack of consistency as to when the pub changed its name, writing: "In the 1841 and 1851 census it is referred to by the enumerator as the Jolly Farmer, but in the 1861 census it is Golden Farmer (yes, that way round)."  [Feb 16] 
Should we express surprise?  I think not, for 20 years after it closed, locals continue to call the place the Jolly Farmer, only referring to the golf shop when giving directions to an outsider.

From Mel Boxall-Forsythe: Based on my great Grandfather's birth certificate his father, William Boxall was a publican at the Jolly Farmer at the time of his birth 1892. My great grandfather came to Australia prior to WW1 and was killed in action in France and connectionwas lost with this part of our family. [Sep 23]

You may use the message pad below to add anything or to contact Ken.

An epic motorcycle journey

Roy wrote: Florence Blenkiron was presented with a motorcycle and sidecar by Bertie Marians, the Sales Director for the makers of Panther Motorcycles, and Torrens, the pen-name for a columnist who wrote for The Motor Cycle at the Jolly Farmer on 30th November 1934. The motorcycle and sidecar were to be used by Florence Blenkiron and Theresa Wallach to make an epic journey across Africa. They started their trip on 11th December 1934 with a send-off by Lady Astor and the Acting High Commissioner of Southern Rhodesia from Crown House in the Aldwych. They became famous as a result of their motorcycling adventure.   6/08x


The Forester's Arms

The Forester's Arms is situated on the A30 Jenkins Hill and is one of the last buildings before you leave the village.

Roland : At the 1871 census THE FORESTER was run by "beer house keeper" John Draper (age 46) with his wife and daughter. Although the pub is not mentioned by name, in 1881 and 1891 censuses John remains a 'beer retailer' or 'beer house keeper'. [Feb 16]

Justine : My father's grandfather on his paternal side ran the Forester Arms for a while around the 1930s. [2021 Jul]


The Hero of Inkerman / Windle Brook

Two storey brick building with large Geogian style windows. Outside is a pub sign with a soldier on it and a pedestrian crossing becon.

single storey red brick building with a high pitched roof

The Hero of Inkerman pub was on London Road at the bottom of Church Road.   The original Hero was demolished in the 1920s to make room for the bypass and rebuilt as a larger building (seen in the B&W photo) in a slightly different location.   I am told by a resident of long-standing that it was owned by Nicholsons Brewery.  The Hero got closed down (possibly in the 1970's) and later burnt down in a mysterious fire. It was replaced by the Windle Brook, an outlet of a bar/restaurant chain (the red brick building shown).  In 2016 it was revamped and painted grey and is trading as a steak house. Location 

Joanne thinks that its closure was later than my guess, writing : I remember going to the Hero as a teenager in the late 80's, also I believe it burnt down in the 90's as I was no longer living in Bagshot by then.  [Jul 18]  Do you remember?

Russell : I can confirm that Joanne is correct when she says the Hero of Inkerman was open in the 1980s. It was well known at the time that The Hero was the place to go in Bagshot if you were underage! I've found an article (published in 2012) that mentions its change of name in the 1980s (dropping the 'of Inkerman') and succumbing to fire in 1991. The article also mentions The Bell & Crown as being open from 1812 to 1854 which doesn't fit in with the 1871 census information but at least it's a bit more info. [Feb 23 x]  

Gerry Davidson wrote from Ontario, Canada, "Mrs. Melita Harris (Woodhouse), who lives here in Ottawa often talks about her father's pub, The Hero of Inkerman, in Bagshot." 0905 I later heard that Mrs Harris passed away in January 2006 at the age of 98. 583.0406

Yvonne sent the old photo of the Hero.555.506 Printing on the back indicates that the licencees at the time were Emily and Charles Webb, can you put a date on when this would have been?  The general appearance of the building is much as I remember it before it was destroyed, a four-digit phone number printed on the back shows it to be pre-1973, but the car and the pedestrian crossing becon on the right are much older.  The board propped up by the pub sign invites coaches to pull in!

The late Lionel Parr recalled a building even older than the black and white photo shown here. It was demolished in 1929 (the year he started at Bagshot School). He speculates (n.b. speculates) that perhaps the old "Hero" was a free house bought-up by a brewery chain wanting a more prominent premises on the coach route, the A30. A large car park could accommodate a good six motor coaches, and Sundays were popular days, with people going on day trips to the coast from London. He recalls that in the 30s Ascot Week and Aldershot Tattoo brought it a large amount of trade too. 118.1206

Richard Rosser:  I remember the 'Hero' well. I had my first alcoholic drink in there (under age!!) in 1957, just before going off to join the Army. The run down Jenkins Hill to the Hero used to be known as the 'screaming mile' because of the racing along it by the Sandhurst Cadets on their way to the pub in their little MG's. In those days it was run by a retired Army captain and I have a funny feeling that his name was Webb - so that would place him there between 1954 and 1957ish. Dec07

Peter Summerston : I celebrated my 18th. birthday in The Hero of Inkerman and was kissed by a girl called Yvonne. When my girl-friend found out, she was jealous but I failed to capitalise on this and instead of playing 'hard to get', I capitulated and lost the high ground, never to regain it! 7068.508

Goodie recalls : It was full of coaches with day trippers. It seemed to be a regular stopping place for the 'Royal Blue' buses. Dec08

Caz: My mother and stepfather ran The Hero Of The Inkerman for a short while in the 70's. My most vivid memory of the pub is the ghosts that haunted it. Has anyone got memories or stories that they would like to share with me about them! May09

Peter Davies : I would like to add a comment concerning a former licensee of the Hero of Inkerman. He was Freddie Leitinger and his wife Anna. I remember calling in to see them early in the 1960's. Prior to taking over managment of The Hero, Freddie was Head Chef of The Grapes Tavern, a Simmonds house opposite the Castle at Windsor. An Austrian by birth he obtained his British citizenship in 1960.  Oct10 xx
Fred (actually Alfred) passed away in December 2016. [Feb 17] 

Janet :We stayed at the Hero of Inkerman on our wedding night, October 8th 1966. We had intended to stay in Windsor but there had been races at Ascot so no accommodation was available. We decided to continue our journey to Cornwall. When we reached Bagshot it was getting very late but there were a few lights still on at the Hero . We knocked and I remember a large German Shepherd barking. Fred and Anna were so kind showed us to a room. Anna then returned with a plate of sandwiches and 2 large mugs of tea. [Oct 15 X]   

Roland wonders when the Hero was established.  The earliest reference he can find is the 1871 census when the publican was Richard Barton. [Feb 16].  The Battle of Inkerman was fought during the Crimean War on 5 November 1854 between the allied armies of Britain, France and Ottoman Empire against the Imperial Russian Army - so the earliest date a pub could be named to commemorate the battle would be a few years later.  Early Ordnance Survey maps of Bagshot identify the Fighting Cocks but do not indicate another pub until well into the 1890's - but, especially since the original Hero appears to be no more than re-purposing an existing terraced house, the explanation for this is likely to be that the change of adding "PH" was not worth bothering with.  On no map I've found is the pub named.

Andrew Radgick: When Bracknell Brewery was offered for sale in 1901, it held the freehold of the Hero of Inkerman (along with The Station Hotel in Ascot, and The George at Loddon Bridge).[May 24 x]


Bird in Hand

The Bird in Hand ceased trading as a pub about 2010.  For years it was in a semi-derelect state, though some maintenance was done to the building. There were various rumours as to what was going to happen to it - most prevelant being that it was going to be a fish restaurant.  Eventually officials at the local council granted planning consent to turn it into a drive-through coffee outlet, they even allowed access to it by turning right across the A30 a few yards from a set of traffic lights.  The business opened in 2017.

Bernadette Mahoney wrote: My grandmother, Annie Holland was resident at The Bird in Hand public house, with her mother and stepfather, at the time of her marriage to my grandfather Frank Alfred Smithers in December 1919. Her mother, also Annie Holland, was widowed in 1898 but had remarried by this time . Her husband had the surname of either Baggs or Rawley. 6144.1206

Stuart Terry Munro writes : My maternal grandparents Alex and Jean Terry ran the Bird in Hand for a very long time - probably the 1930s until 1973. My parents met there during the Second World War, my mother was Doreen Terry and my father, a pilot, would play the piano there. I was born in the pub. [Jan 17]  

Mary Bennett  tells me that Surrey Heath Museum have copies of the deeds of this Pub. [7044.407]

Roland: from census records the Draper family seem to have a long connection with this pub around mid-C19th.  [Feb 15]

Angus Kennedy: We lived in the red brick Victorian house across the road from the Bird in Hand.  My Dad retired from the RAF in 1958 and my parents bought the house originally  called The Cottage, Jenkins Hill, in 1959. We, The Kennedy Family, lived there until 1973. Next door was a
bungalow called The Spinney that the Waskitt Family lived in. I think my Dad, in his retirement, must have popped in to The Bird in Hand across the road every day for 14 years. If Alex Terry the Landlord had been a pilot then they would have had loads in common.  [Aug 18]  


Shoulder of Mutton  & Parfett Brewery

It has ben reported that there was a  Parfett Brewery in Brewhouse Lane, Bagshot in approx 1860-1900, possibly next to the Shoulder of Mutton Public House also on Brewhouse Lane. {7059x Aug 07}

Adrian tells us According to www.eversleycross.co.uk/alittlehistory.htm, a family named Parfett had a brewery at Eversley Cross (about a dozen miles from Bagshot) in the early 1700s. There may, or may not, be a connection. xi08

Green Man

Bob writes: During the early 1980's I stayed in Bagshot and am sure the pub we stayed in was called The Green Man. All I can remember is that it was a red brick building with some land across from it and they did bed and breakfast which you had to eat down in the bar. Can you help me to find out if it still exists and where it is, or what it is called know. I have just moved to Woking and would love to visit it for old times sake if possible. Many thanks.  7065.807
I know of nowhere that is, or has been, called the Green Man.  Can you help Bob?

Gavin writes that the only Green Man he knows of is only a few miles away on the Crowthorne Road in Bracknell. 8042.708
Lee comments : "I wonder whether Bob is thinking of the Foresters on Jenkins Hill near the Bird in Hand. I went in both these pubs in the 1980s and I can picture a 'Green Man' image from somewhere - was it maybe even a local brew or a brewery chain which invested in either of these pubs? Just a thought." 552.308

Red Lion

The Red Lion used to be in the High Street next to the Three Mariners.  There is now no sign of the original building.

Derek Garforth writes: I have been studying the Talbot's for some time, particularly William Talbot 1710-1782 Lord Steward of the Royal Household. He was offended about an article placed in the 'North Briton' by John Wilkes, which resulted in a duel at Bagshot, neither was hurt in the incident and afterwards they celebrated their survival over a tankard of claret in the Red Lion coaching Inn. This was in 1762, I would be interested to know if there are any surviving pictures of the inn or history concerning it, location etc......  
Another version of the story of the dual says they drank afterwards at the White Hart.

I am endebted to Norma and Mick for sending me this cutting from the Morning Chronicle (London), Wednesday, February 27, 1793; Issue 7405 (spelllings as per the original)

SALE BY AUCTION.

STOCK and EFFECTS, RED LION INN, BAGSHOT, SURRY.

By Messrs. SKINNER and DYKE, on Monday, the 11th March, and two following Days, at eleven o'clock, on the Premises, Red Lion Inn, Bagshot, between Staines, Farnham, and Hartford Bridge.

The Neat Household Furniture and Numerous Effects, about Forty Post Chaise and Saddle Geldings, among which are Several Pairs that match well, and the whole in good condition; Four Post Chaises and Three Fish Carts, Harness, etc., etc., the property of Mr. Peter HARVEY, leaving off the inn-keeping business.

To be viewed on Friday and Saturday preceeding the sale; when catalogues may be had on the premises; at the Bush, Farnham; Swan, Alton; Crown, Basingstoke; Demezy, Hartford-Bridge; White Hart, Windsor; Sun, Maidenhead; Bush, Staines; Red Lion Inn, Hounslow; White Hart, Guildford; Sun, Kingston; and of Messrs. SKINNER and DYKE, Aldergate-street.

Half Moon

The Half Moon pub was in the street of the same name. It had a somewhat unsavoury reputation, Lionel tells us that tramps and gentlemen of the road congregated there.

Roland reports that it is mentioned as the place of birth in a baptism register of 1745. [Feb 15]  This entry rather bears out Lionel's observation for it reads "1745 Nov 30th.  Elizabeth, a vagrants child born at the Half Moon" [The registers of Windlesham, Surrey, from 1677 to 1783.  1881 London Mitchell and Hughes. https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/30169/ ]  
Also that at the 1861 census the publican was Robert Dear age 65, [Feb 16]


an 'old style' building with atradition pub sign outsideFighting Cocks

Gavin tells us that the Fighting Cocks used to be called the Black Boy, and asks if anyone knows any more of its history. 8042.708

Judy Corbett, writing from Australia says:  I have no information that the Fighting Cocks was once called the Black Boy but back in 1736 it was called The Bull it may have also been called The Running Deer. William Corbett who was victualler (publican) some time after 1853 is a brother of my husband's GGGrandfather Charles Corbett who came to Australia in 1852.
Unfortunately I have been unable to find who Joseph Corbett's family were - there may be Parish Registers missing. I have only recently found his marriage this now gives me some idea as to his birth.. He was 30yrs of age at marriage so this may have been a second marriage. Dec09

Judy has provided this profile of the pub. Dec09
The Fighting Cocks, Bagshot

The Fighting Cocks or the Bull appears to have been in the hands of Corbetts / Cobbets for approx 200 yrs. I am not sure how long Jonathan Corbett held it after purchasing it in 1897

Joseph Corbett resided Windlesham circa 1726 Parish Register has drawing of land owned by Joseph Corbett as it was next to the Church.

Marriage 1 Oct', 1726. Joseph Corbett of Bagshott, husbandman, 30, circa 1686 and Ann Carter of Bagshott, spinster, 30 at Stoake next Guldeford. George Crockford of Guldeford, clotliier, marks. J. C. signs.

16 Apr 1736 Parties: Joseph Corbett of Bagshot in Windlesham co. Surrey, labourer George Chewter of Bagshot gent. Place or Subject: Articles of agreement for the lease of part a messauge called the Bull in Bagshot; 3 years; 4 l. p.a. Surrey

1737 Feb 21 Joseph the elder burial
1738 Oct 31 Anne Corbett burial

Joseph had three daughters and a son Joseph
Windlesham Register but Joseph’s name spelt Joseph Harbet Bapt 3rd Dec 1737

15 Oct 1768 Item ref: 689/8 Bond of Joseph Corbett of Bagshot, Inn holder, to William Middleton of Bagshott, coachman, for payment of £200 + interest in fulfillment of a mortgage of even date. Penal sum: £400

5 Apr 1775 Item ref: 689/8 Bond of Joseph Corbett of Bagshott, Innholder, to William Middleton of Bagshott, coachman, for payment of £200 + interest in fulfillment of a mortgage of even date. Penal sum: £400 Date(s):

Item ref: 4363/224 Conveyance by lease and release (with two fines) by Edward Gould of Turnham Green, Chiswick, Middx, brewer, by direction of William Clinton of Bagshot brewer (arising out of the dissolution of their partnership as brewers), to John Mason of Kensington, Middx, of The Running Deer, then The Bull now The Fighting Cocks, Bagshot, and The White Hart or Skynners and 4a land adjoining, Chobham

Deaths

  • 1778 March 10th Ann, wife of Joseph Corbet Windlesham
  • 1779 May 5th Joseph Corbet, victualler (publican) Windlesham

Joseph Corbett issue Thomas 22nd Oct 1764
Unable to find marriage for Thomas but have Samuel bapt Windlesham 1802

Henry Lee was proprietor Henry was husband to Elizabeth Cobbett .marriage 1768
John Lee (Henry Lee’s son) Victualler Fighting Cocks Windlesham left lease to wife Ann in his Will April 1835
Marriage John Lee /Ann Turner 3rd March 1831 Windlesham

William Corbett must have taken over the lease some time after 1853 as all his children where bapt Chessington

13 Mar 1897 Item ref: 361/17/3/17 Draft acknowledgement for the production of title deeds H G Poulter to
J Corbett (Documents with the reference prefix 361/17 are all deeds to property in Windlesham and Bagshot)
This is Jonathan son of William Corbett who appears to have purchased Inn

Roland confirms that the 1871 census records the publican as William Corbett (age 60, born Chessington) and that at the 1851 census the ''inn keeper'' is Samuel Higgott with his wife, two staff, an ostler and a maid - together with three lodgers/guests. . [Feb 16]

The Fighting Cocks was rebuilt and relocated very slightly when the bypass was built in the 1920s.   Location. It has now been renamed the 'Cedar Tree'.

Andy writes to say : I have a delightful watercolour of the Fighting Cocks dated 1897 and initialled M.C. I assume he must be a local artist as I found one of the Cricketers by the same person. It shows the pub very different to today and pre bypass. I am interested in who "M.C " was. [Mar 14]

Julie has written saying that the  Rare Books & Special Collections section of the Fisher Library in the University of Sydney, Australia, has copies of some mortgages from the period 1768-1814 involving the Fighting Cocks, one mortgage being for an astonishing 1000 years. Names mentioned include William Middleton, Ann Cobbett, Jervoise Clarke-Jervoise, George Moody Longcroft, Charles Henry Longcroft, John Blagden, William Knight, Richard Raggett and William Belsher Parfett.  To read more see items 46 & 47 of https://library.sydney.edu.au/collections/rare-books/downloads/knocker.pdf  [Nov 18]  



a large two storey building with sign boards and cars outside The Cricketers

Liz Schultz (nee Berry) writes : I remember the Cricketers well - I was born just across the London Road (and railway line) from it in 1947 in a small timber house called Grove End Cottage. In the days I recall (the 1950's) the Cricketers was rather 'posh' - always plenty of expensive cars parked out the front. On an occasional Sunday my dad would take me to a cricket match held on the adjoining grounds - an excuse for an ale I think! I also recall waiting across the A30 from the Cricketers with my Mum to wave to the Queen as she passed by on her way to attend the annual Sandhurst cadet graduation. Today I see from searching the Internet that the Cricketers has lost it's 'grand' appearance and is now run as two separate chain enterprises - a motel and a restaurant. Cricket however, is still played on the same adjoining grounds - reassuring that some things at least, haven't changed. Aug10

From Ron Frost: The large level and flat playing area beside the Cricketers was used for cricket and sports day of Bagshot school. We would walk the approximatly one mile from the school to use it. {Dec 10}

Roland: At the 1851 census the publican is Daniel Atler (or Attler?), age 45, and there are two lodgers/guests. At the 1861 census it is Charles Archer, inn keeper age 48 with 3 lodgers/guests.  [Feb 16]


Bell & Crown

Maureen writes: My G/G/Grandfather William Chapman and his family are shown in the 1871 Census as living in the Bell and Crown Inn, Bagshot.  I can find no further information on a pub or inn of this name. [Aug 14]  Location

Interestingly William and his family are the only people listed as being at the Inn, which would suggest that he was the publican, but his occupation is recorded as a carriage maker.  Can you help Maureen with any further information?.


Windmill Inn

The Windmill is situated at the junction of the A30 and Bagshot Road (B3020) which leads to Sunninghill.  Today it is part of Windlesham.

Roland: At the 1861 census the Windmill Inn was recorded as Bagshot. The inn keeper was Charlotte Goldhawk, a 45 year old widow. [Feb 16]

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