IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Church Street, ATHERSTONE, CV9 1GF

Seen from Sheepy Road car park.

The false external timber framing is believed to date from sometime between 1920 & 1930. Despite this, the inn is actually very old, but it has been altered many times over the centuries. The latest thinking is that the oldest parts of the building are very likely to date from within the years of 1480-1520. This means it is one of the oldest surviving inns or pubs in the town, and possibly even the oldest. The earliest known licensee is Richard Robinson in 1652. Image; Image

The sign looks fairly modern, but parts of the inn are now believed to date back to within 20 years of 1500. The name would indicate that it has a long history. The "Sign of the Angel" relates to the guardian angel who guides and protects the lone traveller. Usually old inns with this sign were found near to the entrance to the town, and frequently close to a church. In centuries past both these factors applied to this inn. Image; Image

A very old inn, which originally was joined to the buildings in Church Street on its left. A very long time ago there was also a building on its right, but that was demolished in the late 18th century for a road to be constructed. Today the inn's main claim to fame, is that it is the host of the Ball Game celebrations, on Shrove Tuesday. The game being a very long tradition in Atherstone, and one of the few such that survives. Image;Image

One of a couple of factory buildings in this area that may well be remnants of the hat trade. There is evidence of some adaptive reuse in the adjoining building.

A very old street, off Long Street. Originally it was called Bakehouse Lane. Unfortunately some of the buildings on the left are boarded up. It is to be hoped they can be renovated rather than pulled down.

Free! St Mary's Parish Church beyond.

Tucked away in Church Street, the New Swan was photographed on a misty December day. It also has a frontage to Derby Lane. The New Swan was open by 1801 and probably has "New" in its name to distinguish it from the nearby Swan Inn, which was at what is now known as Swan House, 23/25 Market Street. That inn closed some years after the New Swan opened. There was also an Old Swan in Long Street, which is still in business today. Further evidence of the fondness for swans in this area, is that there is also a Black Swan pub at nearby Grendon. Image

The sign for the New Swan in Church Street. It was a Pubmaster pub, but they were taken over some years ago by Punch Taverns. Image

Church Street connects the Market Square with the town's main shopping street, Long Street. The New Swan, a pub dating from the 18th century and now grade II listed, is on the left. On the immediate right is a laundry and ironing service.