|
The History of The White
Horse Inn.. It
all started in the 15th century!
The White Horse is one of the oldest hostelries in the ancient
town of Beverley. It is not known exactly when it became
established as an Inn, though records dating back to 1585 show
that there were buildings on the site at that time, which
belonged to the Church. It was in use as an Inn during 1666
when an emissary of King Charles II used it to hold office
whilst on official business.
From the mid 19th Century, the basis of 'trade' was
from the farmers and cattlemen attending the Norwood
Cattlemarket, who would stay at the Inn, keeping their horses
and carriages in the stable yard. The main coach entrance
still remains (although no longer in use) and the large,
closed black wooden doors are
clearly visible to the left of the main
entrance on Hengate,
and the car park approach to the back door. Looking from
Hengate, towards and above the coach doors, is a hay loft
aperture. Just within the coach doors, adjacent to the
building, are a few stone steps which where once used to aid
mounting and dismounting of horses. In its heyday there was
stabling for up to seventy horses!
Incidentally, Beverley's' historical cattle trading accounts
for the large number of hostelries within the town. Until
British licensing laws allowed all-day trading, Beverley was
somewhat of a novelty to the area as local bylaws gave
licensed permission to certain Pub's to remain open after 2pm
on market days.
In 1927 Francis Collinson, a saddler by trade, purchased the
property from the Church, having already been a tenant for
some years. The White Horse stayed within the Collinson family
until 1976, when it was acquired by Samuel Smiths Brewery of
Tadcaster - Yorkshires oldest breweries.
Francis
Collinson had a large family, and during the years prior to
1976, the pub was run by his unmarried sons and daughters. In
relative recent times, there were five sisters and two
brothers involved in the running of the Pub - Miss Nellie
being the licensee. It was during her reign that The White
Horse became known as 'Nellies'.
Nellies, is not only popular with the 'locals', but attracts
visitors from around the globe. One of the more obvious
reasons being its non-synthetic, 'untouched', original
preservation - consisting of individual gas
light illumination - warmly glowing in the rooms and
corridors, whilst the larger area's are impressively bathed in
the light and warmth radiated by the original gas
chandeliers.
You'll
find the individual rooms, each with their own mystique and
character. During colder days - open coal fires beckon a
welcome to anyone wishing to sit by alone - or with company in
the snug, relaxing and friendly atmosphere. Oh, and of course
women are now welcome in all public areas - with the obvious
exception of the 'Gents' toilet!
|
