Easton on the Hill Public Houses

[Taken from an old History Group project for the Priest’s House and compiled by Louise Davies.]

Back in 1830, the abolition of the beer tax meant that any rate payer could now sell beer without a licence.  There was an explosion of beer houses – the beer often sold in the kitchen of someone’s home.  Gradually the drinking spaces in peoples’ homes were separated – seating being available in the taproom but standing space only offered in the bar-room.

The free for all in ale stopped in 1869 with tighter regulation of the brewing trade.  Smaller alehouses fell by the wayside while larger brewers extended their control over drinking establishments as brewing was transformed into an ‘industry’.

There were at least 11 pubs in Easton on the Hill:­

• The Retreat – 79 Stamford Road
• The Oak -   Stamford Road
• The Exeter Arms - 21 Stamford Road
• The Crown – 12 Stamford Road
• The Fox (& Hounds) – 2 Stamford Road
• Carpenters Arms – 52 High Street
• The Bluebell - 9 High Street
• The Royal Princess - 20 High Street
• The Prince of Wales - ? West Street
• The White Horse - 1 The Lane
• The Slaters Arms - 5 The Lane

The Slaters Arms The Lane 1909
Returned from Victoria, British Columbia, by the daughter of Frank Smith, Landlord of the Slaters Arms in 1909. Mr Smith emigrated to Canada in 1912.
In the picture, Mr Duncombe, Grandfather of Mr Scott Duncombe (Greystones ), and Mrs Smith wife of the Landlord.

Now only two pubs remain, The Bluebell and the Exeter Arms. 

It is unknown when many of them closed, however, Harry Jackson, an Easton resident born in 1871 said that by 1958 when he wrote down his memories, there were only 8 pubs. There was no mention of The Crown, The Fox, and The Prince of Wales. He did however mention a further pub – The Five Bells next to the wood yard and church, which he notes, his brother helped to pull down! This would indicate that there had been 12!

The following pubs had also closed by 1958 - The Royal Princess, The White Horse, The Slaters Arms and The Retreat.

The Royal Princess – 20 High Street [formerly Bell Street]

 

The Oak -Stamford Road

The Exeter Arms - Stamford Road