The Crown Hotel, Thoroughfare, Woodbridge

Image: © Jo and Steve Turner Taken: 18 Jun 2017

17th century Grade II Listed hotel re-faced in the 18th century. It was once owned and occupied by Peter Pett who was Pepys' predecessor at the Admiralty. CAMRA describe it as a 16th century coaching inn. It seems this may have some substance because Royal Navy ship builder Phineas Pett used to lodge at the Crown Inn when the landlord was Thomas Cole. Peter Pett (1610-1672) his 5th son married Cole's daughter in 1633 and was given the Crown and Lime Kiln Dock; later that year he got the first contract to build a Royal Navy ship at Woodbridge. In letting details of 1764 the description includes 'Brewing-Office and Wash-house, ... large Vaults and Granaries, Stabling .... for upwards of thirty (horses), with about five Acres of Pasture-Land adjoining, a good Bowling-Green, a large Orchard with a Summer-House in it, and a Garden walled round'. 1840 Pigot's Directory lists the Excise Office at the Crown Tavern. In 1892 it is described as “commercial & family hotel & posting house; head-quarters of the Cyclists' Touring club; billiards & splendid bowling green“. Licensing records show the Crown's license was issued in 1843. This is probably when it got a full (i.e. not just beer) licence. Directory entries include; 1839 Michael Cundy; 1855 John Salmon; 1869-1891 Thomas Grimwood; 1892 Edward Cousins Blyth; 1900 Mrs Emily Allen; 1901 no victualler given; 1912 Mrs Elizabeth Youngman.

Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0