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Horse Bridge Lane, STOURBRIDGE, DY7 6NY

The Whittington is a Grade I listed building dating back to the 14th century. It was once the home of Sir William de Whittington, grandfather of legendary Lord Mayor of London Dick Whittington. It is also said that King Charles II took refuge in the building following the Battle of Worcester. Queen Anne also spent a night there in 1711, and the solid oak front door holds one of only two her Royal seals in the country. The house became the Whittington Inn in 1788 when Lord Stamford transferred the licence – and the pub sign – from a smaller building a few hundred yards away

Formerly the Whittington Inn.

Dating from 1310, the front entrance to the Whittington Inn, South Staffordshire.

There are a number of conflicting claims about the history of this building which make it difficult to sort the truth from the myths. It clearly is a very old building, which many sources say was built in 1310 by Sir William de Whittington. He is said to be the grandfather of the famous Dick Whittington, Lord Mayor of London. The latter was born in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, but his family did come from the Kinver area of Staffordshire, so the connection may be correct. English Heritage say the building was originally a timber framed open hall house built in the late 14th-15th century and rebuilt in the late 16th century. Subsequently the building was extended and altered at various periods. It use as an inn commenced in 1783, according to English Heritage, but other sources give 1788. The inn is now a Marston's pub. Interestingly when it was owned by Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries, extensive restoration was carried out in 1999, this was after the date of the English Heritage document. The restoration uncovered the remains of an early 14th century cruck-framed hall, which does tie in rather nicely with the suggested date of 1310. Today the pub retains a fascinating interior, with a real historical ambiance and offers good food too!

It was built in 1310 by Sir William Whittington (the grandfather of Dick Whittington).

See Image] for context.

The public footpath from Dunsley leads southwards with the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal off to the right. Some sheep are grazing nearby.

The milestone is located on the west side of road, about 75 metres North of the public house car park, in the hedge. Cast iron post, Lathe iron casting, erected by the County Council in the 19th/20th century. See https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6068686 for photo taken soon after restoration. Inscription reads:- WALL HEATH 4¼ / WOMBOURNE 6¾ / WOLVERHAMPTON / 11 : : KINVER : : KIDDERMINSTER / 4¾ Maker:- Chas. Lathe, Tipton. Staffordshire HER listed, HER Number: 51293 https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MST12513&resourceID=1010 Milestone Society National ID: ST_WVKD11