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Sportspace - Hemel Hempstead
 
 
Friday, 3rd September 2010

 
ALBION TO FRIEND AT HAND

THE BREWERS ARMS


The Albion Public House (Durrants Hill)

THE Albion Public House and nearby cottages were owned by Thomas Ebbern, a coal merchant. They were built around 1836. The pub was demolished towards the end of 1999, to make way for new housing.
The tithe maps of 1836 described The Albion as a cottage, garden and wharf. It is known to have stabled three horses that were used to work the canal. One of the earlier beer sellers was James Turnham (1851), who in turn was succeeded by one A. Simpson (1891).
The Anchor Brewery/Anchor Public House (Anchor Lane). The Albion was only closed and demolished a couple of years ago.
Anchor, (Anchor Lane)

THE old Anchor brewery operated in the same area as the original Anchor Public House. This was demolished in the early 1950’s and re-built when the Beechfield Road area was developed and Anchor Lane widened. This public house has now been renamed The Leinster, and it still stands at the junction of the two roads.
The Anchor (Bourne End)

OLDER than its neighbour the White Horse, its timber-framed building dates from as early as the 16th century. One William Samuels was listed as the licensee in 1838.
The Artichoke (London Road)
FORMER public house of London Road, almost opposite the gasworks. It became a general stores and then a pet shop, both of which were also known as the Artichoke. It was eventually demolished in 1999 to make way for new housing, property of the Boxmoor Trust, who still own the land today.
The Bell at Two Waters

NOW a grade two listed building, this is one of Hemel Hempstead’s most charismatic inns, recorded on conveyances as early as 1598. This is one of the oldest inns of the area, which in its time would have catered for the travellers of the main road, prior to the road being turnpiked when it became a stopping point for the coaches travelling en-route from London.
There remains today a 17th century structure, altered in the 19th century, with timber frame exposed on its south side gable. Horses and carts are known to have stopped here as late as 1907.
It is interesting to know that the site of The Bell marks the end of Apsley and the beginning of Boxmoor. One humorous story surrounding The Bell is the story concerning Mark Wright, landlord in 1898, who was accused of selling adulterated Irish whiskey. A Mr Rushworth, a weights and measures inspector, had gone to the inn, and asked for a pint of Irish whiskey, which the landlord had poured into a bottle, and charged the princely sum of 2s 8d. When tested, the whiskey was found to be 45.6% under proof, and the landlord was duly summoned to appear before the magistrates to answer to the charges. Amazingly, the case was dismissed, as it had not been proven that Mr Rushworth was a customer.
The Old Bell Gate
(Union Street)

ANOTHER of the older inns of the town, possibly named from its proximity to the entrance to the land belonging to The Bell Inn off the High Street.
The Blackbird (Wharf Road)

FORMER inn of Wharf Road in Boxmoor, probably frequented by such as gravediggers, and brickmakers.
The Boars Head (Piccotts End)

ONCE again an 18th century inn, known from parish registers to have existed as early as 1736. Records show the licensee in 1897, to have been one William Oakley and it stayed in the same family for over 30 years.
The Bricklayers Arms
(Bury Road)

A NOT so well-known public house, whose identity came to light from investigation into the Railway Hotel. In 1898, the Licensing Committee for Dacorum gave the go ahead for a new hotel and houses to be built on the land opposite Hemel Hempstead Station. While this never actually happened, it was noted that the land was owned by the Chesham Brewery Company, and that the stated licensee was to be a Mrs Fanny Bradbury, who would be allowed to transfer her licence from her current pub, The Bricklayers Arms in Bury Road.
The Bricklayers Arms
(Catlin Street)

BELIEVED to be a former 19th century public house, which was owned until 1912, by one Fred Margrave. It was then sold to retired London policeman Henry Rayner and his wife Elizabeth. Mr Rayner died in 1915, but his wife continued to run the pub until the early 1930’s.
Returning to the Margrave family, there is an entertaining story concerning Fred Margrave. It seems that he owned the house next door to the pub, and, to save going outside to open up, he knocked a hole through the adjoining wall. Sadly for him, the authorities heard of this and ordered him to brick it up again!
The Bricklayers Arms
(Puller Road)

FORMER public house on Puller Road in Boxmoor, also known as The Dogs Home. It was eventually demolished to make way for the rear access and car park for what is now Hanover Green.
The original name of the Dogs Home was thought to have originated due to the dog food adverts on the outside of the building.
The Bricklayers Arms (Brickmakers Lane)

FORMER beer house of Brickmakers Lane, standing as it did on the junction with the old St Albans Hill. The name reflects the brick-making nature of the industry of the area at the time, and this would have been responsible for its name.
The Bull
(London Road, Apsley)


THE BULL, NOW THE SPOTTED BULL
FORMER name, locally or officially, of what is today known as The Spotted Bull.
The Chequers
(Piccotts End)

PARISH register records show this to be an 18th century inn, known as early at 1714.
The Cupid
(Redbourn Road now Henry Wells Square - Grovehill)

FORMERLY stood on the corner of Redbourn Road and High Street Green, and was known from parish register records to have existed as early as 1714.
It was demolished to make way for the roundabout at the end of St Agnells Lane, and later relocated in Henry Wells Square following the redevelopment of Grovehill. It is known today as Greenhill II. The pub, which had cost some £37,000 to build, was opened in 1971, the first landlords being Mr & Mrs Don Blackett.
The Fishery Inn (Fishery Road)


THE FISHERY
ESTABLISHED in the early 19th century. This was, in olden days, a popular canalside tavern, offering stabling for horses, and a resident blacksmith at the Fishery Forge.
An alternative stone balustrade bridge replaced the 19th century bridge in 1922, sadly spoiled today by the addition of a modern reinforced concrete structure.
The Foundry Arms (Marlowes)
A FORMER public house of 83 Marlowes. Although it is not easy to pinpoint it directly, it is thought to have stood either next door, or close to, The Halfway House. This would put it roughly where the Halifax Building Society is today.
It was probably given its name due to its proximity to the Boxmoor Iron Works, that were in Marlowes at that time. Two former landlords were a Mr Dunkley (1895) and a Mr Thomas Woban (1881).
The Fountain (London Road)

A FORMER public house of London Road in Apsley, where the Sainsbury’s goods entrance is today. This was a very popular pub with both the workforce of John Dickinson’s nearby, as well as the locals. Around the end of the last century, The Fountain applied for a grant to carry out alterations that included a garden room which could be used by passing cyclists. However, the licensee of the nearby Salmon public house objected saying that there was already ample provision for cyclists in the local pubs. The magistrates then rejected the application.
The Fox & Duck (Piccotts End)

FORMER 17th century inn of the area, known from a survey of the manor as early as 1633.
The Fox and Hounds,
(Bourne End)

A FORMER inn of Bourne End, situated on the site of what is now Ramblers, and what used to be The Little Chef.
The Full House (Marlowes)

ANOTHER of Hemel’s newer public houses, this public house is housed in what was the Odeon Cinema.
The Friend at Hand

(London Road, Boxmoor)

FRIEND AT HAND
PRIOR to becoming a beer house, the building was known as two cottages.
They then became this notorious former inn of the Turnpike Road (now the old A41).
It stood roughly opposite the spot where highwayman Robert Snooks met his end, and what we know today as Cane & Co.
The inn used to open at 6am for farm and land workers, as well as the drovers driving their cattle through to Watford.
There were no spirits served here, purely Chesham Ales served drawn from taps on one of four barrels that stood in a room at the side of the bar, which consisted of just a table.
Local history tells us that this is where Snooks enjoyed his last drink, and if history is to be believed he addressed the gathering throng, imploring them to take their time, as nothing could start without him.
The last landlady was one Fanny Polley, who passed away in 1949. Her husband had been landlord from 1917, and she continued until 1927, when the licence was discontinued. However, she continued to live in the building until her death.
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