Web sites for Hertfordshire Pubs

Beer & Brewing

Over the last 150 years a vast number of pubs and beer houses in Hertfordshire have closed - although a fair number remain (possibly with a name change). If you are interested in the history of one of these establishments you should start by looking at the UK Pub History and the Lost Pub Project.

Pubs were at the heart of most communities and there were often incidents involving them and their customers. In addition it was not unknown for an inquest to be held in the public house nearest the death. There are also licensing. applications - particularly when a new landlord is appointed. Such matters were frequently covered in the local newspapers - many of which are available online in the British Newspaper Archive.

Once you know the name of the publicans from the above sources you will often be able to get more information from the censuses between 1841 and 1911.

Because I am having to spend less time on running this web site I would appreciate it if, in future, you check these sources before you ask me questions about a pub's history.

The Inns and Beerhouses of Berkhamsted in 1854

I have just posted a

  List of the Inns and Beerhouses of Berkhamsted

as they were in 1854 as described in Craven's Directory of that year.

Brewing

Where to get a drink in Bishops Stortford in 1854

Brewing

I have added a list of about 70 beer houses, inns, maltings, etc., that were trading in Bishops Stortford in 1854 to the page Inns & Brewing, Bishops Stortford. It would be interesting to know how many are still trading in the same premises under the same name today. And perhaps some of you are related to the 1854 publicans!

Anchor Maltings, Bishops Stortford, after the 1907 fire

The Old Public Houses in London Colney

London Colney

Beer & Brewing

Arlene has provided an excellent picture of Thomas Wright sitting outside his pub, the Swan at London Colney, in 1904/5 to add to the already detailed history of The Swan. At the same time as adding this picture I have updated the London Colney page with a picture of the main road and a list of the many pubic houses identified in Craven's 1854 directory.  Interestingly the Bell, the Bull, the Golden Lion, the Green Dragon, the Kings Head, the White Horse (later called the Pear and Partridge) and the White Lion were still open in 1995. (Can someone bring the list up-to-date, possibly with name changes and closures, in a comment?)