PHOTOS: Take a look at FIVE old Northampton pubs and the story behind them – including 15 skeletons discovered under a kitchen
So many fondly remembered Northampton pubs have closed down over the years but are still fondly remembered by their patrons.
These photos – researched by Dave Knibb, the Northampton author of “Last Orders: A History and Directory of Northampton Pubs” – show some of Northampton’s former playgrounds.
Dave’s self-published book has sold over 2,000 copies. Call 07939990790 or email [email protected] to purchase a copy.
Dave said: “One of the ‘old inns’ mentioned in 1585, the Dolphin was a major presence in Northampton for centuries. Rebuilt after the ‘great fire’ it changed hands several times in the 18th and 19th centuries and its sale always guaranteed a packed auction house.It was a fairly large place, even in the days of the great post houses, stretching from Gold Street to Woolmonger Street, with another entrance in Kingswell Street. It was finally demolished in 1890 to be replaced by the Grand Hotel, although it retained a “Dolphin” bar in a nod to its illustrious predecessor.
Photo: Dave Knibb
Dave said: “The Racehorse Inn first appeared in 1830 and was probably not much older. One of the features of the Racehorse was its American Bowling Alley. One of the side effects however was the fighting, being in a separate area from the bar, gambling was commonplace, alcohol and big bets rarely mix, it was also a favorite place to trade stolen goods, out of sight Rebuilt at the start of the 20th century (without the Bowling Alley), it has, in recent years, fallen on hard times. With its recently renamed neighbor, the bantam rooster, its future has looked bleak but has been revived with a new name. and a new image as the Dark Prince.
Photo: Dave Knibb
Dave said: “Samuel Williams moved to a bakery at 46 Harding Street which he converted into a pub, the Lord Raglan, with the bakery running out the back. It was definitely a pub in 1858 and may have started serving beer a year or two Unfortunately, Williams never had the chance to pursue his venture as he collapsed and died in January 1859 at the age of 42. Like any other business, and just like pubs today, the more entertainment the busier the trade and the more successful the pub. , wanting to clear up pubs in the area, decided there was no need to d ‘have two pubs next to each other, so in 1910 it was gone forever.”
Photo: Dave Knibb
Dave said: “A well loved and fondly remembered pub, Harding Street Tavern spent over 50 years as a direct neighbor to the Lord Raglan which stood on the corner of Upper Priory Street. The first mention I I could find dates back to 1859 and it clocked over 100 years before closing in the early 1970s. One of the keys to its sedentary life came from the continuity of its owners. The building was on the site of the Priory of St Andrew and when building work was going on in 1889 15 complete skeletons were found under the kitchen floor so the pub was on the site of the burial grounds. I won’t make jokes about the spirits though…”
Photo: Dave Knibb