The Golden Lion Inn (1), 83 High Street

Image: © P L Chadwick Taken: 6 Jul 2010

An old 17th century coaching inn, which still maintains the tradition of providing accommodation, which many years ago was the distinction between an inn and a pub. Being an inn also meant it could stay open 24 hours, provided a bed was available. It is now a free house, but for many years was owned by Mitchells & Butler, and then by Bass, who took them over. The inn used to have its own brewery long ago, and also stables. The latter were used by both coach horses, and by horses which used to run at the long closed racecourse at nearby Talsey. A reminder of the inn's early days are the steps, which can be seen outside the inn, on the right of this photograph. Known as a mounting block, they were used by customers to mount their horses. A very unusual survivor. Image

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