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Abberley Avenue, STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN, DY13 0NZ

Royal names for pubs have always been popular as they demonstrated loyalty (genuine or not) to authority, and especially after the restoration of the monarchy in the 17th century. However as this pub was opened in very early Victorian times it is not clear why it got its present name. The sign shows King Charles II with the caption "Charles II Newmarket 1666-1685." As he reigned from 1660 to 1685, the significance of 1666 and Newmarket are unclear. Interestingly this seems now to be a standard Marston's sign. The portrait of Charles II was also used for the new sign for the Black Boy in Wyre Hill Bewdley, but without the caption. Image Image Image

In recent years this public house has been branded Marston's but it used to be a Banks's house (they are the same company these days). This August 2006 photograph by David Stowell shows the Banks's signage including the traditional sign with a golden lion. Image Image Image

This large public house is Grade II listed and is thought to have opened just before 1840. The pub has traditional pub games and also a restaurant area. When it was built it was on the road that had been the main connection between the Redstone river ferry and the road to Bromyard and Hereford. By the time it opened this had declined to a secondary road so the pub never experienced the busy trade of a coaching inn. Its trade was mainly local which remains the case today. Image Image

A good traditional solid looking brick built pub right in the western edge of the square at the junction with Kings Arms lane.

Situated beside the road approaching Astley Cross from the west.

A rare survivor these days - situated near the NW corner of Astley Cross is this independent garage and petrol filling station.

I'm not sure whether the builder had been imbibing when this pub was built or whether is as a result of subsequent subsidence that nothing appears to be quite perpendicular or at right angles on this building. It's certainly not my camera! This pub is situated on the opposite corner of Astley Cross to Image

This tin tabernacle is on the NE corner of Astley Cross on the southern edge of what is now the Areley Kings area of Stourport. At one time Areley Kings would have been a significant village in its own right. This church is situated diagonally opposite Image at this crossroads.