The Golden Lion (1), Bridge Street

Image: © P L Chadwick Taken: 15 Aug 2010

The Golden Lion Inn was an early 19th century pub, which arrived following the building of the Wilts & Berks Canal. What is now Canal Walk, follows part of the canal's route, and the pub was built overlooking it. I can vaguely remember the pub as a boy, and the sculpture of a Golden Lion, which by then had been put in front of the pub. There had previously been a Golden Lion pub in Wood Street Old Town, in the 18th century, but that had closed long before the one by the canal was built. That pub closed in 1956, and the sculpture was put into storage by the Council. Unfortunately the storage conditions caused it to start to crumble, so this replica was made to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II's ascent to the throne. It was placed in Canal Walk, in 1978, on the spot where the original had been, although facing the wrong way. It stayed there for a good many years, but has now been moved to Bridge Street, even though there is plenty of spare room for it in Canal Walk. Image Image

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