Sunday 15 February 2009

Historic Pub Closes

Well we know that Woolworths has closed but the closing of the Golden Lion in the centre of my town was a surprise. It seems it is temporary as it is being bought by a brewery group. This place has seen lots of history and lots of changes I am sure.


The director of our local museum says that it was built around 1440. The first written record of the pub was in the will of a local resident in 1482 but it is said to most certainly have existed a long time before that.

In 1601 it was inherited by philosopher and writer Francis Bacon, a good friend of playwright William Shakespeare. It is quite possible that Shakespeare sat in the pub.




Here we see a good example of 'the old and the new' with a modern block of flats in the background.

I think we will be going on a trip in the next post, not literally but a delve into my recent photos so stay tuned and come with me.

13 comments:

zetor said...

I hate to see buildings like that deserted I do hope it is salvaged. Looking forward to seeing more photos this week.

Linda said...

It is such a shame when historical buildings close. Hopefully it will reopen and retain all the history.
You certainly had lots of snow didn't you. And what fun you all had enjoying it.

Patsy said...

It just boggles my mind to think that pub has stood there that many century's. Things in the U.S.A. that were built 50 yrars ago are falling down.
Patsy

Vee said...

Hopefully, the new owners will take just as good care as the former owners did. So much history!

Susan said...

At least they are not tearing the building down.
Susan

Willow said...

Very interesting pub. Now I'm wondering if The Professor and I walked past it.

I hope Peter is having better weaterh than we. In Phoenix the weather has not been rainy, just cloudy a day or two, so maybe PS is getting Arizona weather instead of Los Angeles rainstorms.

Needled Mom said...

I do hope that it is only temporary as it is a gorgeous old building. It has some great history too.

Barb said...

Hi Barbara,

I hope they don't tear the building down. All that history! You have had quite the winter-lots of snow. We have had the rain. Hope you have a wonderful week.

Linda said...

It would be a shame if it doesn't reopen. What a treasure.

Elizabeth said...

I love your history posts!
Interesting how in England almost everywhere has such fascinating buildings - -with stories to go with them.
This is a very handsome building.

Andrea said...

Thank you for posting those pictures. I love historical buildings. Amazing that Shakespeare may have actually visited that pub! Thank you for your comments about Christ, also. God bless!

Merisi said...

I hope the new owners will give this historic place new life!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful building. I like the way the medieval has survived and was still being used for it's original purpose.