Gaydon. Gaydon Inn
'Gaydon Inn', view of the front. 1900s
IMAGE LOCATION: (Warwickshire County Record Office)
Reference: PH, 352/99/4, img: 218
This image is subject to copyright restrictions. Please see our copyright statement for further details.
Comments
William Kitchener was publican from April to November 1909
In 1789 a highwayman by the name of John Smith was caught attempting a robbery on the Banbury Road. He was locked in the inn. During his overnight confinement he was said to have carved his name on a beam in the inn.
Source: “Folklore of Warwickshire” by Roy Palmer
Used as a coaching inn for travellers going to and from London.
Source: “Rural Romance. Quant Tales of Old Warwickshire (Shakespeare’s Country) by T B D Horniblow
It was quite a centre of activity at one time. The village stocks and pound were situated on the premises.
In the mid nineteenth century the parish vestry meetings were held there.
There was also a special day when the locals would turn up to settle any disputes. One day an Irish packman and a local called Tom were fighting. Instead of breaking it up, the parish constable let them get on with it, seeing as the local was winning. However as the Irishman limped off the constable urged the local to give him a kick. Not a good idea. This enraged the Irishman, who returned to the fight and emerged victorious.
Source: “Rural Romance. Quant Tales of Old Warwickshire (Shakespeare’s Country) by T B D Horniblow
Add a comment about this page