Hungerford Virtual Museum

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

[Home] [Artefacts] [Events] [People] [Places] [Themes] [Timeline] [Archives] [Search]

You are in [Themes] [Inns & Alehouses] [Craven Arms]

Summary: 111 High Street. 1734 - 1929

The earliest reference to this property as an inn dates from the will of Joseph Toe (who lived in what is now 111 High Street). In the will (dated 1734) Joseph was described as "inn-holder". He died in 1737.

The property changed hands then, being owned by Alexander Thistlethwayte, a local attorney. By 1768 it was owned by Anthony Woodroffe.

The first mention of the name "Craven Arms" was in the 1774-90 Quit Rent Roll, where Anthony Woodroffe is recorded as owner "for the Lord Craven Arms".

The name "Craven Arms" is clearly taken from the Craven family of Hamstead Marshall. The first and most eminent of these was the 1st Earl who died in 1697. Lord William Craven was appointed to the office of Steward of the Faircross and Kintbury Eagle Hundreds in 1730, and he was succeeded by Fulwar Craven, the 4th Baron Craven, who was appointed in 1759, dying in 1769. It may have been this latter in whose honour the inn was named. The name occurs in the 1774 quit rent roll, and thereafter.
^ top ^




	Buildings around The Craven Arms, 1871



			111 High Street, Feb 2007

The names associated with the Craven Arms include:

1777, 1781, 1786 (CL) Thomas Barley, occupier. [Still owned by Anthony Woodroffe]
1795-1804 (QR) Anthony Woodroffe

1805-36 (QR) William Mellis.
1840 William Millis of Charnham Street leased the property to William Toms and John Matthews, brewers of Hungerford, for 21 years, now in occupation of Richard Palmer.

1841 (Census) William Angell (40) Publican.

1843 (CL) John Frampton
1844 (Pigot) John Frampton

1847 (CL) Henry William Salt (own and occ)
1847 (KD) Henry Salt

1851 (CS) Catherine Windsor - innkeeper (aged 57)

1861 (CL) John Platt (own) - William Elliott (occ)
1861 (CS) William Elliott - Innkeeper "Craven Arms" & Ginger Beer factory.

1864 (BD) Catherine Windsor

1869 (PO) Henry Johnson
1871 (CS) Henry Johnson

1881 (CS) Henry Andrews
1891 (KD) Henry Andrews.

1896 (CL) South Berks Brewery Co (owners), William Winkworth (occ), known to be have been a shopkeeper in Newtown in 1891

190? Mr Watson (occ)

1906 Mr & Mrs Wyatt and dtr May (aged 7-12yrs) occupants. Beer 1d per pint (or half penny if consumed off property)

1911 Mr. & Mrs. Frederick Ernest Ruddle, 4 ch., Fred, Adela, George, & Lily
1914 (CL) South Berks Brewery (own); Frederick Ernest Ruddle (occ)
1922 Mrs. Ruddle died, Lily the youngest 5yrs., Mr. Ruddle's niece came to live & 'nanny' - Dorothy Herne.

In 1929 the Craven Arms closed. It is said that this was largely brought about by the influence of Mr Platt the brewer, who felt there were too many pubs in Hungerford!