Hungerford Virtual Museum

Website produced and maintained for the Hungerford Historical Association
by Hugh Pihlens

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The London to Bristol (and later Bath) Road was one of the most important routes in the country. Partly as a result of Hungerford lying on the Bath Road, there have been a number of famous visitors to the town over the years.

Royal visitors passing through the town are by tradition presented with a Lancastrian red rose, recognising our heritage connected with the House of Lancaster. The monarch still retains the title "Duke of Lancaster".

The most important Royal visitor was Prince William of Orange, who met the Commissioners of King James II at the Bear Inn in 1688. For a full account of the most historic event, click here.

Other Royal visitors include:

Elizabeth I: The parish records include an entry of the burial in 1601 of one of her coachmen. No further details are known.

Charles I:soon after the 2nd Battle of Newbury?

Charles II: In August 1663, Charles II abd Queen Catherine passed through Hungerford on their way to Bath. On 26th September 1665, the king returned through Hungerford, four men having been instructed by the Constable 'to dig ye high waies' in preparation for the King's arrival, each man being paid 3d for his services.

Duke of York, later James II: Charles II's brother, the Duke of York passed through Hungerford and stayed at Littlecote in 1663.

Queen Catherine (wife of Charles II): rode through the town in 1677 on her way to Bath.
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Mary of Modena, consort of James II: passed through Hungerford twice in 1687, on her way to and back from Bath.

It is often recorded that after the Restoration, the church bells were rung when Royalty passed through the town.

George V: In October 1912 King George V visited Sir John Ward at Chilton Lodge. The proposed visit captured the enthusiasm of the whole town, which set about the task of preparing and decorating the town with enormous energy. Click here for more information and pictures about this visit.

Much more recently, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth passed through the town on 12th March 1948. The tradition is that ever since the time of John of Gaunt, whenever the monarch has passed through Hungerford, he or she has been presented with a Lancastrian red rose.

When people in Hungerford heard on 12th March that the King and Queen were visiting Marlborough College that day, a telegram was sent at noon stating that "it would give the inhabitants of Hungerford great pleasure if His Majesty would stop for two minutes on his return journey to receive the traditional red rose – Constable of Hungerford." A reply came at 12.54 from the Equerry, stating that they would be pleased to stop. Urgent plans were made to obtain a red rose – which eventually arrived from London by train! Word spread rapidly around the town, and by the time the Royal car came into sight at 5.20pm, the whole of Charnham Street around The Bear Hotel was packed with adults and children. It is said there was a crowd of 800 people.
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Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip: passed through the town in 1952.




	King George VI and Queen Elizabeth receiving the Lancastrian Rose, 12th March 1948



			The King and Queen talking with the Constable Roy Alexander.

Diarists:

John Evelyn: On 4th July 1654 he visited Hungerford on his return from London to Bath, and stayed at the Bear Inn. His only recorded comment on the occasion was 'a towne famous for its troutes'!

Samuel Pepys: On 10th June 1668 he visited the town and dined at The Bear Inn, whilst on a journey from Abingdon to Salisbury. He wrote: 'So come to Hungerford, where very good troutes, eels, and cray-fish. Dinner; a mean town. At dinner there 12s.'. He took a guide to show him the way to Salisbury, at least until the cathedral spire was in sight. The roads of the time were still in a dreadful condition, and when in the area later in the same month, Pepys lost way between Newbury and Reading!