Pubs Reigate

Admiral Corner of Albert Road North and Nutley Lane

The Admiral in 1975 (Picture Richard Symonds)

Information from Richard Symonds
During WW1 horses stabled alongside the Admiral were comandeered by the Army. The stables were altered in the 30s/40s to be a garage for two St John ambulances but this is only one of the changes to this pub that George Clark, licencee for 57 years up to 1945, would have seen. There was once a tap room, probably with its own door to the street, where customers could come for jugs of beer to take home. There was a bar parlour that was also the licencee's family dining room where favoured customers could go. There would have been few female customers would have before servicewomen went there during ww2 when beer was 5d a pint and cigarettes were 11d for 20.
It is understood that the license was formerly taken from the White Horse Inn, Albert Road South, sometime prior to 1868; The Admiral stands in Nutley Lane at the junction with Albert Road North, on the north side. The earliest deed that I have seen is dated 5th August 1868 of ground & messuage situated in Albert Road South, Reigate, and refers to a lease dating from 29th Sept 1867 for 90 years (expiring 29th Sept 1957) from Mr William Holdsworth to Mr William Tyrrell Holdsworth, rent of a peppercorn for the first two years, then £10 per annum. On 24th June 1872, James Woodmen took on a tenancy agreement at £35 per annum, with Wm Tyrrell Holdsworth. Woodman was formerly a farmer in Newdigate, and the Inn then described as "The Admiral Rodney Inn, with stable, coach-house, offices and garden." On the 26th November the same year, Holdsworth leased the property to Messrs W T Lashmar and John Lashmar. brewers, Oxted, for £700, in two payments, immediately of £400, and after of £300. The Lashmars re-leased the property to Bristow Colliard Bushell, brewer, Westerham, on 1st March 1882 for £730. William Holdsworth died 15th March 1893 and he bequeathed the property to his daughter Mary Ann, wife of Edmond Daniell. When Mary Ann died on 21st June 1907, she left it to her daughter Ethel Annie Daniell. Ethel never married and went into the Convent of the Incarnation, Fair Acres, Oxford, and on 5th December 1923 sold the Admiral to Bushell, Watkins & Smith for £375. The pub remained in their hands until 1961 when the (by then) parent company Taylor Walker, was taken over by Ind Coope.
The Petty Sessional report 1892, lists the Admiral as a fully-licensed house, owned and tied by trade to Bushell & Co., Westerham, brewers. Run by G R Clarke who resides on the premises. The Inn is frequented by cottagers and labourers.
I have a short list of proprietors as follows: 1878 Jason Woodman. 1882 George Baker 1891- 1940 George Richard Clarke. 1948 - 1954 Thomas Frederick Sparshott 1956 - 1968 F W Rodwell. Apparently the address was 95 Nutley Lane, but was changed to 190 in 1909, and then to 190a in 1915.

Additional information kindly sent in by Brian Cornelius: -
The landlord of the Admiral Pub, G R Clarke, lost his son in WW1. L/Cpl Thomas Percy Clarke 9217 1st Btn Leinster regiment K in A, 12th May 1915, aged 24. His name appears on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. G R Clarke also appears to have been a widower at the time as his wife is described as the late Lavinia Emma Clarke (nee Pankhurst).

Albion Inn 13, London Road

In the lefthand picture of London Road below (looking south) three Reigate pubs can be seen. The Bats and Balls public house is on the far left with the Albion being located in the building on the right foreground. In the left distance, on the corner of the High Street and London Road, is the Red Cross. The righthand picture shows the Albion where it stood at the northern corner of London Rd and Upper West Street.
References: Neale papers; NCB 19.

Picture Alan Moore ..................................................................................................... Picture Richard Symonds
Picture HNHC
The site of the Albion Pub, on the corner of Upper West Street where it joins London Road, can be seen centre of this 1968 view looking north up London Road. Some of the pub site has been used to widen the round and round off the corner, the road sign probably standing where the bar was.

Information from Richard Symonds
Formerly situated at No. 13, London Road, Reigate. Of late 19th Century origin and pulled down in 1967 to make way for a car park. The 1892 Petty Sessional Report gives it as a beerhouse licensed prior to 1869, owned and tied for trade to Messrs Crowley of Croydon, brewers. The licensee is given as M. Bone who resided on the premises. The tavern, it was noted, was frequented by mechanics and labourers. The tavern stood on the north side of the Upper West Street and London Road junction. (It is not to be confused with “Albion house”, a projected Mellersh & Neale inn in Albion Road, Reigate, which was erected between the wars without planning permission. A license was not granted so it was demolished again in August 1935). Licensees: 1891. Win Bone; 1892. M Bone; 1900 Win Killick; 1902-4 W H Venn; 1904-30 Sidney Welley; 1936 Jas.A.Bish; 1940-44 Mrs Maud E.Bish.

Left: - The man pictured here with a pig at his feet is
local character Alan Ide, who at the beginning of the 20thc used to take the pig to the pub with him. Here he is seen standing outside the Albion. The people in the background ars Mr and Mrs Edgson. Presumably the dog's owner is still inside.(Picture courtesy Ron Marsh.)

Right: - An atmospheric picture of the
Albion taken from north of
it looking down towards
the Red Cross.(AJM)

Anchor High Street
Information from Richard Symonds
Formerly stood on the site of 60~62, High Street, Reigate. First noted in 1597 and it closed down circa 1750.
Bryant’s Survey of 1785 lists it as no 72 in its terrier and describes it as 'a messuage with backside, with appurtenances, formerly ANCHOR public house abutting north on site of tenement in Black Fryers Alley, formerly in occupation of Thomas Lifford, widow Rose Boniface, Thomas Dutton, and now George Cheasley, worth £3 if repaired. Edward Whiteacres co-heirs sold it to James Cocks. Thomas Saunders Junior of Charlwood polled 1698.'
1592 - Owned by Wm Limden, who lived there. 1597 - Wm Limden left it to William, his son. 1653 - Thomas Fisher tenant; owned by William Limden. 1671 - Thomas Buckland tenant, owned by Thomas Linden (presumably Wm Linden's son). The Limden family were butchers, presumably with a trade interest in the victualling side of the inn.
References; SC 445/1 f72; 371/8/58; Greater London Record Office DW.PA.7.8. f352.

Angel Cockshot Hill Reigate
Left: The Angel pub c1880 (Picture Alan Moore)

Right: The Angel pub is behind the trees on the right in this c1870s picture of the tollgates and tollhouse on the Doversgreen Road (picture Richard Symonds)

The rear of the Angel pub viewed from Cockshot Hill (picture Richard Symonds)

Information from Richard Symonds
Situated on the north side of the Pendleton Road at the junction with Cockshott Hill on ground that was originally part of the waste of the manor, and described in the survey of 1623 as the “Bowling Alley lying before the gate of the tenement called Woodhatch”; and held by Mr John Oade as Copyhold of the manor. The present building may date back as far or further but did not apparently come into use as an inn until the following century when it bore the sign of the White Horse. It has certainally been used as an inn since 1700, and was renamed the Angel in 1814. The building is believed to have been built circa 1650. The sign is a medieval one in honour of St Gabriel the archangel, and is shown armed with sword and shield.
The Angel pub in 1977 (picture Richard Symonds)

Looking at my schedule of deeds & documents with respect admissions to the copyhold, I have the following dates and names: August 1741, admission of John Parsons; July 1742, admission of William Belcher and Thomas Ingram; Jan 1762, admission of Thomas Powers; June 1767, admission of Jacob Houblon and John Wogan; March 1783, admission of Jarvis Holmes; July 1784, presentment of the death of Jacob Houblon; 28 Nov 1789, Conveyance from William Bryant to Thomas Cooper for £450, and the following month, admission of William Bryant; May 1801, Admission of Henry William Caffyn; March 1814, admission Edward Clarke, and of his surrender to Thomas Neale, and also admission of Mrs Sophia Annie Barfoot.
On the 8th Dec 1814, the Angel was Leased for 1 year from Lord Somers to Thomas Neale, and the following day a document of Enfranchisement and release was issued, which effectively converted the copyhold to freehold.
I also have a document headed 47 Georgii III Regis. Seff 2 Cap 122, from an Act for confirming the sales, made under the direction of the court of Chancery, of several estates, devised by the will of Thomas Cooper of Leatherhead, brewer, deceased, dated 13 August 1807. In it is described the Angel as “A dwelling house, stable, cow house, outbuildings and garden, formerly bowling alley, in the occupation of William Holliday, under a lease which will expire at Michaelmas 1819, at the yearly rent of £10. 10s; the tenant doing all repairs; held of the Manor of Reygate; Quit rent one shilling; Heriot on death.”

The Angel Pub in the early 1900s1920s (pictures Richard Symonds)

Eves Census of 1861 lists the property as Number 1342, and describes it as “Public house and garden owned by Neale & Mellersh, run bt Jane Pooley.”
An abstract of title dated 1875 reads: “Reciting (in 1843) at that messuage or tenement, orchard, and appurtinances thereto belonging, lying near Wood Hatch and theretofore part of the waste of the said Manor of Reigate but for which many years afterwards passed as Copyhold hereditaments and were then lately called or distinguished by the name of Bowling Alley and containing 20 poles, on part whereof then lately stood a smith’s shop and forge with the appurtenances all which said hereditaments were then better known as the sign of the Angel Public House together with the stables, coach-houses, & offices containing 20 perches, formerly in the occupation of William Holliday and then late of Jane Pooley.”
The Petty Sessional report for 1892 described the Angel as being owned and tied by trade to Mellersh & Neale, and Run by William Gould who resides on the premises. Frequented by cyclists, travellers, and gentlemen’s servants. (it is interesting to note that an entry for the Borough bench records that the licence of the Angel passed to Mr William Gould in November 1877).
I have also an incomplete list of proprietors as follows; 1785-1813, William Holliday; 1814-1826 Catherine Holliday; 1839-1861 Jane Pooley; 1878-1905 William Goold; 1909-1910 Miss M A Duffin; 1915-1923 Isaac Robert Thompson; 1926-1968 Jn, Herbert Jones; 1969-1975 Robert White. ..........................................................................The angel pub viewed from the south in 2005 (Picture Alan Moore).

Artichoke High Street

Information from Richard Symonds
An 18th century alehouse which formerly stood on or about the site of No. 89, Bell Street, Reigate. 1702 - lease for 21 years by Mary Life to Jo Byers. 1710. Sold by Life family to Sir William Scawen. In Bryants Survey of 1785 it is shown as no. 161 in the terrier (the document accompanying the map which gives information about numbered areas) and is described as; 'Messuage, garden, barn, orchard, field with appurtenances, formerly the sign of the ARTICHOKE, abutting west on high road in Bell Street, south on Lisbon Lane, east on lands in occupation of ThomasTurner. worth £10 per annum. Formerly in occupation of John Byers , after of Richard Norris, now of William Moore and Thomas Dewdney. Richard Barnes purchased these premises from Mr Scawen’s Trustees and has sold same to John Sornmers Cocks with five others for £5,500. He gave £300 for it and has reserved the field and got a lease of the tenement for 1000 years.'
References: SC445/1 f161; Papers in private hands.

Barley MowAllingham Road, South Park

The two pictures show the Barley Mow in the early 1900s (below) and ) in 1973 (right). (Both pictures courtesy Richard Symonds)

Information from Richard Symonds
There was a small brewery, named Durrant’s which stood at the south end of Priory Road in South Park, Woodhatch, and was called The South Park Brewery. The earliest reference is found in Kelly’s 1859 directory of Surrey, wherein the concern is listed as David Durrant, Freehold, Reigate. Later in 1862, the address is given as Holmesdale; and between the years 1867 and 1882, as just South Park. These differences of address leave no reason to suspect any removal of business, but only that they were different ways of describing the same address in local terms. The census of 1861 lists David Durrant as residing in Heraditament 1629 and describes the property as "House, brewery, and garden, in an area of land about 27 poles, with field adjoining, area about 2 roods."
By 1890 the business had become Durrant & Sons, 66, Priory Road, and by 1902, the Post Office had renumbered the property 56, Priory Road. In about 1905, the business had passed to David Durrant’s son, Alfred, and between 1908 and 1915, the concern was listed as Alfred Durrant & Son. In the Surrey Directory for the latter year, an advertisement appears describing the firm as brewers and cider merchants. By 1917 the site was listed as vacant, and the author suspects that the business was forced to close due to the employees leaving for military service at the outbreak of the First World War.
The Barley Mow in Eastnor Road was Durrant’s only beershop, serving as the Brewery Tap. It was formerly a Cider House only, sharing its unique character in Surrey with only one other property, the Cyder House at Shackleford. The Earliest Reference I have of the property shown as a pub is on Eves Map of 1861, and is shown as property 1535 and described as “House, beershop and garden, owned and tied by trade to David Durrant, and run by James Stone.”
The Petty Sessional Report dated 1892 describes it as a “Beerhouse, licensed prior to 1869…” [which fits in nicely with Eve’s Census] “…owned and tied by trade to David Durrant of Reigate, brewer, and run by J.W.Bowles who resides on the premises. Frequented by cottagers and labourers. Conduct satisfactory”.
Proprietors: 1900 – 01 Walter Coates; 1904 – 5 Walter Ellis; 1909 – 36 George A Ragless; 1940 – 59 Walter Matthews; 1960 – 1976 C Matthews.
The trade, including the Barley Mow, was sold off to Page & Overton’s of Croydon sometime after the end of the First World War, and thus entered the Charrington Empire.

Bats and Balls London Road

Situated on the east side of London Road almost opposite the Albion pub (Picture AJM)

Information from Richard Symonds
Bats & Balls, formerly situated at (16) London Road, Reigate. Also known as the Cricketers (c1805), this inn was first noted in 1732 and ceased trading on 12 June 1910, and later demolished. There was a large cave under the property where men used to work there early in the 19th century digging silver sand. The landlord sold the sand to the goods waggonners who put up there for the night at 6d a bag and they took it to London and sold it for a shilling. The drivers looked on this as their perks. Up to 1910 this was where beanfeasters used to come (for example Bryant & May’s girls) etc., the landlord used to light up part of the caves with candles, and they paid “tuppence” to go down. To gain access, one went through a door at the back of the bar, and then down a passage towards the Castle grounds.
A deed exists dated 17 December 1759 when the property was still copyhold of the Manor of Reigate, admitting a “John Bristow to a messuage of late Richard Isemongers, all that customary messuage or tenement, barn, stable, buildings, garden, or orchard and court abutting on the King’s Highway leading from the borough of Reygate towards Croydon on the north part, and upon land formerly of John Baker on the south part and now of late in the occupation of Mr Worley to the use and behoof of John Bristowe of Reigate, apothecary.”
In another deed dated 1st Jan 1765, John Muggeridge was admitted, “from Alan Edwards the elder, late tallow chandler, to a parcel of land formerly in the occupation of George Mason, then Elizabeth Mason, and now John Muggeridge, and herebefore surrendered to Allan Edwards by Abraham Smith, distiller.” John Muggeridge died in June 1768 and Ann, his widow was admitted for the remainder of her life.
In Feb 1777 Sir Charles Cocks, baronet, leased the property to George Seale and Ann his wife, and the contract described it as “a customary messuage and croft being part of the Castle Butts.”
Records jump to June 1791 when Wm Muggeridge was admitted upon the surrender of Richard Barnes. His will, dated 19 Sept 1804, describes Wm Muggeridge as a victualler, and the property first referred to as the Bats & Balls, which he left to his son, John, who was duly admitted in April 1806, although, confusingly, the will refers to the Inn as Freehold. (Presumably the land was copyhold and the Inn upon it or adjacent to it was freehold?) John mortagaged the Inn to James Cheeseman of Dorking, brewer, in 1812. Francis Cheeseman took over this mortgage and leased the Inn from John Muggeridge in 1826, and the following year John Muggeridge forfeits the property for non-payment and James Cheeseman is admitted in his stead. By November 1861, Richard Attlee & John Young, brewers had acquired Cheeseman’s brewing interests at Dorking and therefore were in a position to enter into an agreement with the then occupier, Thomas Ratcliffe Hoad, in consideration of 15 shillings, to give up rights to use a loft over the premises formerly used as a malt loft adjoining to the south of the inn formerly used as a brewhouse.”
Eves census 1861describes the Inn as property No. 859 “Bats & Balls PH, 2 cottages & garden, owned by John Young and run by John Sayers & others.”
In August 1879 the licence was transferred to Mr Richard Snelling.
Petty Sessional Report 1892 gives the “Bats & Balls, London Lane. Fully licensed house, owned and tied by trade to John Young of Dorking, brewer, run by W Chalwin who resides on the premises. Frequented by Travellers with vans, carts, etc.”
It is interesting to note that the inn was always a place where suspicious goings on occurred and the police were always raiding it. Several examples may be read in back-issues of the Local papers. For example an entry for March 1878 declared that “Samuel Winn, William Talman, George Carter and Alfred Hazell have been committed for trial on the charge of stealing a sack of coal, the property of their employers, Messrs Neale & Mellersh, the well-known brewers; and Mr Bailey (on bail), landlord of the Bats & balls Inn is charged with receiving the same, well knowing it to have been stolen. They will be tried at the Surrey Sessions at Newington next week.” The following month a follow-up was reported “ The three men charged with stealing coal were convicted and sentenced to a month’s hard labour each. The publican who was charged with feloniously receiving the coal, and whose defence was in the able hands of Mr Hubert Wood, was acquitted.”
The police were in and out of the inn trying to catch late-hours drinkers and gambling but apparently a look-out was always posted and the miscreants were always one step ahead of the law, escaping down the trap door into the caves that linked up with the Three Pigeons and the Red Cross. One policeman, it was said, so determined was he to catch someone at something no-good, and in frustration at being continually thwarted, arrested for gaming a couple of drinkers for raffling a rabbit belonging to a little boy who lived next door to the inn. The local papers had a field day, stating “ We trust that the energetic police-constable who detected this flagrant crime will be duly promoted”.

By Email - I own an eighteenth century longcase clock, which has an inscription written by my grandfather (Nelson Bathurst of Reigate, son of John Bathurst, cordwainer) some 100 years ago about its origins. He stated that his grandmother, Mrs Hannah Symmonds, was given it by her aunt, Mrs Muggeridge, of the Bats and Balls Inn, Reigate, who I assume owned it from new c.1760-1790. Do you have any evidence that this Inn existed or where its exact location was? Regards N.B., Bucks.
N.B. referred to this page and the Bats and Balls above when John and Ann Muggeridge are mentioned.

Beehive Doversgreen Road
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Picture courtesy HNHC
This is how the Beehive public house in Dovers Green Road was until 1929. Stephen Burberry owned it at one time and later Westerham Ales took it over. It would seem that the Burberry family lived in the house, the evidence for this coming from a fire report of 1895 which read, ' March 19th - Bee Hive Beer House, Dovers Green - two part boarded and brick built houses, one used as branch Post Office, the other as a beer house, well alight with roof falling in when Fire Brigade arrived. Fire was caused by Mrs Burberry ascending stairs with paraffin lamp after taking letters to Post Office. She caught her foot in stair carpet and fell. Paraffin spilt and ignited house.'. It was run by the Blundell family from 1909 - 1949. They lived in the pub itself, the white-boarded side. By then the Burberrys lived in the brick side and ran a wheelwrights and smithy. In 1949 it was taken over by Allied Breweries. Comprehensive information about this pub from Richard Symonds is below


The Beehive pub, presumably viewed from Sandcross Lane. (Picture Richard Symonds)	The Beehive in 2007 (Picture Alan Moore)

nformation about the Beehive from Richard Symonds
.....The original owner of the premises shown in the top picture above was a George Adams of Camberwell who sold two dwellings at Dovers Green on 31 Aug 1847 to Stephen Burberry as a freehold and copyhold for £400. Burberry was described as a beer retailer in the document. We can presume (and it is only a presumption) that Mr Burberry turned the freehold dwelling into an inn, which was referred to as such when he assigned both properties to the brewers Messrs T Lashmar & John Lashmar of Oxted on 22 April 1876 as leaseholds. For a full history of the Lashmars, refer to my blog on Oxted breweries which can be found at URL http://wasfu-man-oxtedpubhistory.blogspot.com/ The first reference to the actual name Beehive was in a leasehold document 31 Dec 1881, and the inn and cottages nearby were passed to Messrs B C Bushell & co of the Westerham Brewery on 7th March 1882. (when Lashmars Oxted Brewery was taken over by Bushells) for the residue of the term of lease of 60 years from 29 Sept 1847.
.....In the Petty Sessional Report for 1892, the premises was described as The Bee-hive, Dovers green, beerhouse, licensed prior to 1869. Owned and tied by trade to B C Bushell & Co of westerham, brewers. Run by G T Bassett who resides on the premises. Frequented by labourers. The records of the copyhold element of these leases are interesting. Copyhold means that it was part of the Manor of Reigate (Lord of the Manor at this time was Lady Isobel Caroline Somers Cocks Somerset, widow). The record of admissions to the property give the following names: Sept 1886 Admission of Mrs Mary Anne Davies & Mrs E Astle. A licence to demise was granted to both ladies on 16 April 1895 for a term of 18 years. Mary Anne davies died sometime before18 Sept 1898 when a further admission was granted to her "devisees" un-named; A further admission was granted to William Astle on 25 Feb 1902, who had died within 2 years as another admission was granted to his son George Devon Astle on 5 July 1904, and who the following year on 29 June 1905 was also granted an undivided moity of the Freehold premises (the Inn) at Dovers Green. At the same time he had to surrender the copyhold premises to W G D Astle. Astle leased the copyhold to Bushells in Nov 1907 for 21 years at a rent of £55 per annum.
In 1908 Bushells leased the copyhold dwelling to Mrs Rebecca Burberry of the Lancaster (?) wheelwrights, described as shop, land & prems at Dovers green at a rent of £23 per annum. (The writing is unclear and I may have misread the word Lancaster). In Nov 1919 G D Astle died and the premises passed into the hands of Miss E H Donaldson, and when all copyholds were dis-enfranchised in 1921 it converted into Freehold estate. On 18 may 1928 she conveyed the freehold of the property to Messrs Bushell Watkins & Smith of the Westerham Brewery, then described as freehold beerhouse, Beehive, cottages, workshops & premises.
....II have a note of some of the proprietors: 1892 - 1905 G T Bassett 1909 - 1944 Benry Thomas Blundell 1951 - 1968 C P Potter. The Beehive received its full licence and became a Publuc House in 1955, before which it was only a beerhouse.

Email from Iain Pocknell regarding The Beehive
.......Over the past few years I've been tracing my family tree. You may be interested in knowing that my grandmother was born at The Beehive in 1903, her father, Sidney Burberry being the wheelwright in the adjacent building. Last night I found your website with the photos and description of the pub as it was then.... I was also staggered to read the fire report which involved my ancestors - it's really brought the past to life! This was the first time I had seen any photos of my Nan's birthplace! It looks like there were two branches of the Burberry family living in two houses. Stephen, I think, is Sidney's cousin which means that the Mrs Burberry in the fire report would be Ruth Burberry (although this is not confirmed). Sidney died in 1907 leaving his wife and children (4 girls and 1 boy). His son was killed in WWI. I'm wondering whether my great grandmother, Rebecca Burberry took over the lease if it was in her husband's name before? However, I do know that they all moved to live in Eastbourne. From what my grandmother had told me, this was shortly after Sidney's death(?)
..... I do not know much about about the wheelwright business other than what I can piece together from the censuses i.e. two of Sidney's daughters were born in Catford, Kent in the early 1890s. As far as I can tell, there's no Lancashire connection...Rebecca's father being a red potter in Ewell.
.......As Sidney Burberry is the main focus of my interest at the moment, I will piece together some information for your website. I can't give any timescales at the moment as with young children I do this research as and when time allows. I have ordered a copy of his death certificate as he died when he was 42. His grave stone says he dies peacefully which sounds like it might have been an illnes rather than an accident at work etc. I will run the information past my cousins in Canada before I send it to you - partly for accuracy, partly out of courtesy.
.......I'm uI'm unsure if you have seen the website on the Burberry family history? There is a very distant link to raincoats! The Burberry Family website is being compiled by Douglas Burbury who lives in Tasmania. http://www.vision.net.au/~dburbury/d0002/g0000248.htm#5503 Many thanks for collating the information on the Beehive.
........Thank you, Iain, for the information - Richard and Alan

Bell Inn, Bell Street

Information and picture from Richard Symonds

This inn has a considerable history, as can be seen from the information below. No less than four premises have had this name at some time or another in Reigate alone. The Bull’s Head was called the Bell for a short time around 1700 and it is often impossible to disentangle the various locations. Also 51 High Street was so called up until 1714 when it was divided into tenements. The two houses opposite each other in Bell Street (14 & 21) appear to have been inns of this name alternately until the beginning of the 19th century when the present public house took over sole use of the name of the Bell. To make a general history from the information given would, given the several centuries and the number of various premises involved, be difficult, so the documented evidence provided further below is left to stand alone.
Petty sessional records of 1892 stated that the Bell was a fully licensed inn owned and tied by trade to Messrs Mellersh & Neale,of Reigate, brewers. The licensee, J. L. Knell, resided on the premises and the inn was frequented by tradesmen and mechanics. (cont below)

The above picture (courtesy Richard Symonds) shows the Bell in 1933. when it had two doors. The lefthand door led to the saloon bar, the righthand one to the public bar. This situation lasted well into the 1960s at least. As can be see from the picture on the right (taken by Alkan Moore in October 2007) there is now just the one door and presumably (I haven't been in the Bell for years) just one bar (AJM)

Continuing information from Richard Symond
Proprietors: c1786 Thomas Beale - 1787-1800 George Sanders - c1805-1809 Stephen Elsey - 1810-1843 Abraham Elsey - 1855-1861Thomas Holdsworth - 1862-1878 William Coppen - 1878-1882 John Howard - 1891-1895 John Lawrence Knell - 1900-1923 John Unstead - 1926-1933 James Arthur Bish - 1936-1940 Richard K Comber - 1940-1954 R W Johnson - 1956-1960 H M T Owens - 1965-1968 D A W Blake
Schedule of deeds and documents referring to the Bell
1731. List of tenants to Mr Saunders at the Bell. 1670 - Ann Cooper. 1676 - Jno Woodman. 1684 - John Dagnall. 24 Mar 1761 Lease for 1 year, John Lucas to Edmund Pepys. 25 Mar 1761 ReleaseJohn Lucas to Edmund Pepys. 22 Feb 1765 Lease for 1 year, Capt Faulkner to Jno Lucas. 27 May 1848 Conveyance, John Pepys to Edmund Pepys,freehold messuage. 21 Oct 1851 Lease.Edmund Pepys to Thomas Holdsworth, lic.victualr for 50 years. 16 Jun 1860. Earl Somers to Neale & Mellersh for building leases of a Burgage tenement in Bell Street. 2 Jul 1860 Assignment Thomas Holdsworth to Messrs Neale & Mellersh. 23 Apr 1878 Counterpart Lease Edmund Pepys to Mellersh & Neale for 21 years from 25 March 1878. 23 Apr 1878 Lease Edmund Pepys to Mellersh & Neale for 21 years from 25 March 1878, rent £25 p.a. 28 Nov 1890 Conveyance Edmund Pepys to Mellersh & Neale. 13 Aug 1940 Agreement British Land Co.,and Mellersh & Neale Ltd., relating to the right of light affecting Nos. 23 to 25 Bell Street,and the Bell PH.
Showing the position of the Bell not far from the town centre on the east side of Bell Street. (Picture Alan Moore October 2007)

Additional Information from old records
Bryants Survey 1785, Nos 193-195 in terrier, describes the Bell as follows:
193. Messuage, brewhouse, and stable, yard and backside with apturtenances abutting south on yard behind same, north on highway, west on premises in occupation of Mrs Stanning, east on premises in occupation of Messrs Broughton. Worth £3 per annum. Leased from Lord Somers with 175. Formerly in occupation of Jane Allen, John Glazebrook, late William Hoare, and now James Johnson. Purchased of John Allen’s daughter by John Cocks; refused polling as being part of 194 which with other premises was the Bell Inn.
194. Messuage with appurtenances abutting north on the High Street,, south on a yard behind, east to 176, and west on premises occupied therewith.. Worth £4 pa. Formerly in occupation of widow Staples, Anthony Volvin, ,John Southern, since widow Humphrey and James Goddard, but now of Sussanna Stanninq, widow. Was anciently, with 193,and 195, an inn called THE BELL, and John Allen polled for whole in 1698 and 1702; James Dentith in 1710, and William Thompson in 1713. This and others were divided in 1714. Purchased with 195 by James Cocks of John Ward who bought them of John Allen with 195.
195. Messuage,with several outhouses and appurtenances, abutting north on High Street, south on yard behind same, east on 194, ,and west on premises in occupation of William Browne, taylor. Worth £1.10s. per annum. Formerly in the occupation of widow Hatcher, since of William Staples, and late of John Lyfe, but now of Sussannah Standing and used with 194. Formerly part of BELL INN and William Moreton offered to pollin 1710 and was refused. Purchased with 194.
Bryant’s Survey I785, no.154 in terrier. (Bryant refers also to the Bell Inn on the East side of Bell Street, and also its immediate forerunner trading under the same sign):
154. Abutting north to ‘Thomas Jeale, east to garden of Thomas Bodle. Formerly William Lifford, since his widow and now Joseph Longley. Heretofore the sign of the BELL INN. Anthony Dickens sold it 1785 subject to a lease to Richard Bryant who sold it again for the same price to Philip Yorke. Matthew Lant polled in 1698. This and 135 and 156 were originally one messuage known as Jordans. In 1670 described as all that messuage then divided into three tenements, and the barn and rood of ground thereunto belonging with appurtenances and. in the annual occupation of Thomas Woodyer, Anne Cooper and Edward Carter. It possessed a brewhouse.
135. Formerly in the occupation of Henry Carter, John Lester, Richard Jeffs, Simon Glazetrook and late Thomas Bodle and John Cole, since of ~Thomas Beale and now George Sanders. (P.N.Elsey, - The Bell). Messuage and garden, sign of THE BELL, abutting south on a tenement used therewith. Worth £2.lOs. per annum. Purchased by the Hon. .John Yorke in trust for Francis Lane. Mr Scroop polled in 1698. Joshua Fedrey in 1710. Conveyed to John Yorke in 1777 by Elizabeth Hayward and Thomas Ryder, executors of the will of Carlton Hayward.
136. Abutting south to Thomas Bodle. Formerly in the occupation of Henry Carter, John Lester, Richard Jaffs, widow Carter, Frances Frenoh, George Ookley, Edward Pickstone, late of John Cole and Thomas Beal, now of George Sanders. (P.N. Mr. Pepys). Messuage and backside,with arpurtenances, is laid to the BELL. Worth £2 pa, This was property of John Lucas and given by his will to his nephew Mr Pepys.
Mr Carter polled 1698; Captain Faulkner 1713; John Lucas 1722. References: SC 445/1 f.193—5; f.134—6.; f.174.371/8/175-186; p49/1/I; Neale papers. Ind Coope B/17.
Bryant’s Survey 1785, No 174 on terrier.
Messuage, yard, & garden, & appurtenances abutting west on premises occupied with the Swan Inn. formerly in the occupation of Widow Carter, George Cherrington, now of Joseph Floyd. Sold by William Charrington, yeoman,and wife Rachael, daughter of Stephen Carter, collarmaker, inl 1750 to John Cocks, Lord Sommers’ father for £400; Worth £6 per annum. Formerly known as BELL Inn, or HOSTELRY, in the 17^th and early 18^th centuries. (Carter made leather collars for horses and in an award of 1705 between him and William Huggett, he is said to possess pits (presumably for tanning) and leather.)
The hostelry or Hostry, formerly stood on the site of Messrs Watkins & Watkins Estate Agents, on the West side of Bell Street. In the 17th century it was called the HOSTELRY. In 1627 Edward bysshe of Smallfields sold the premises but it is not known to whom. His uncle, Erasmus Bysshe,was a mercer and prominent in local affairs. It is conjectured that the licence was transferred from this house to the one across the road when it closed down. RS

Black Horse Flanchford Road

In the days when life was slower (Picture HNHC)

Information from Richard Symonds
Built circa 1760 by John Fist, the Black Horse was a Copyhold property held of Colley Manor. It is situated in West Street at the junction with Flanchford Road. It was a well-known house in times gone by. Here it was that the public spent many a jovial evening after watching the free entertainments provided for them on Reigate Heath in the form of horse racing and public hangings on the gallows near to the Skimmington Castle Inn. This public house was perhaps one of the original pubs in the borough. It appears in the original trust deed of Mellersh & Neal’s debenture Stock dated 1897.

The first documentary reference I have is dated 19th January 1774 when a Mr J Norris was admitted to “All that customary messuage or tenement, barn, buildings. Garden, orchard, yard, and one close of land by the same adjoining. Formerly in the occupation of Madame Holroyd, and late of Madame Avenell.” There is a succession of surrender and admission documents revealing the names of the occupants as follows: Feb 1782, J Norris to Mrs M Edwards; May 1791, M. Edwards to R Ladbroke; Jan 1793 Ladbroke to J Mitchell; June 1796 Mitchell to Thos Cooper, of Leatherhead, brewer (Thomas Cooper also had the Reigate Brewery until his death in 1801 when Thomas Neal senior acquired it from his Executors); July 1805, admission of George Cooper.
A rural idyll (Picture Richard Symonds)

I have a copy of an Act, dated 47 GEO III,(1806/07) Seff 2, cap 122, for
confirming the sale made under the directions of the court of Chancery
of several estates devised by the Will of Thomas Cooper of Leatherhead, brewer, deceased. One of the properties was the Black Horse, wherein it is described as “Copyhold, a customary messuage, barn, buildings, orchard and garden and close containing 2 acres, more or less, called the Black Horse, in Reygate, in the occupation of William Edwards at a rent of £11. 3s. 0d. per annum”
It would appear that the property was purchased circa 1817/1818 by George Cooper and surrendered the following year to Thomas Neale. The document relating to this sale is interesting in that it stated “formerly in the occupation of Thomas Pidworth, afterwards of Richard Hussey, and then late in occupation of Jeremiah Norris and which said messuage was then in the occupation of William Edwards.” It remained in the possession of Mellersh & Neale thenceforth.
The inn appears on the 1843 Tithe map as property 1023 , and is described as “Public House, premises & garden, 33 poles, owned by thomas Neale & run by Richard Brown.”
Eves census 1861 gives it as property 1851 and describes it as “Public house & garden owned by Messrs Neale, Mellersh & Neale, and run by John Newman.”
Beer arrives on a steam driven wagon (Picture Richard Symonds)

The Petty Sessional report 1892 describes it as a “Fully Licensed house owned by Mellersh & Neale and tied to them for trade. Run by W Stevens who resides there. Frequented by Hawkers and labourers.
I have an incomplete list of proprietors starting c1788 as follows; 1785 – 1826 William Edwards; c1839 Richard Martin; C1843 Richard Brown; c1855 James Pellett; 1859 – 1861 John Newman; 1878 – 1882 William Proctor; 1891 – 1895 William Stevens; 1900 – 1901 Frederick Johns, 1 Reigate Heath; 1904 – 1910 Francis William Billings; 1915 – 1922 William Spencer Bell; 1923 – 1930 Frederick J Seymour; 1931 – 1968 Leonard Pickett (address changed in 1940 to 1 Flanchford Road); 1971 - ? Frederick & Edna Rothwell.

References; 371/2/8/3; Guildford Muniment Room 65/5/51; Ind Coope Archives.

Information from Richard Proctor
On the 1871 census Susannah Hall was shown as the head at the Black Horse and her occupation was Licensed Victualler. She was a widow.
On the 1881 census William Proctor is shown as an Inn Keeper at the Black Horse and his wife is Susannah Proctor.
Susannah Proctor was buried on the 9^th. June 1881 in Reigate Cemetery.
On the 1891 census William Proctor is shown as a brewer at the Black Horse, Wilstone, Hertfordshire (which is very close to his birth place). His wife is shown as Hannah Proctor who was Hannah Constant a servant at the Black Horse, Reigate Heath.
William Proctor was my great great uncle. Also in 1881 my great great grand father was a beer house keeper at the Harvesters Arms in Buckland.

Four pictures of the Black Horse taken in 2004 during a period when it was closed for about a year before extensive alteration

Blue Anchor 27, West Street, Reigate.

A 17^th Century building, the Blue Anchor is seen here as it was some decades ago. (Picture Richard Symonds)

Information from Richard Symonds
Petty SessionalReport,1892 gives the property as a beerhouse licensed prior to 1869, owned and tied by trade to messrs Bradley & Son of Epsom, brewers. The licensee, Mr C Walder resided on the premises. The beerhouse was frequented by Artisans and labourers.
Proprietors: c1892-1901 Charles Walder - 1904-1915 George Hawkins - 25 Dec 1923-1936 Mrs Adeline Mary Whitmore (Rent £30 p.a.) - 11 June 1936-1956 Henry Ernest Branfield - 1965-1968 A G Goldsmith - 1968-1973 Bill & Monica Mantle.


The Blue Anchor in October 2007 (Picture Alan Moore)	The Blue Anchor in 1975 (Picture Richard Symonds)

Bottlehouse Formerly situated in Flanchford Road at Santon on the otherside of the Parish.

Information from Richard Symonds
An alehouse of Copyhold tenure in use during the 17th century and one of the many possessions of the Arnold family (before 1703 it was owned by John Arnold). In 1705 it came into the ownership of the vicar, John Gird, on his marriage into that family. It ceased tradtng later in the 18^th century.
References SC 371/2/3/36 passim; - W.Hooper “Reigate, Its Story through the Ages.’

Bricklayers Arms Formerly situated at No.10, Bell Street, Reigate

Information from Richard Symonds
Thomas Moorer, formerly of the swan, leased it in 1750. It was incorporated into the building of the Bunch of Grapes in c.1785.
References: SC 445/1/ f 177; - British Library ADD MSS 36232 f5.

Britannia Man O’War Formerly situated on a site adjacent to 51 Bell Street

Information from Richard Symonds
In existence c1726 and plied its trade during much of the 18th century but was later demolished.
References: British Library. ADD MSS 34237.

Bulls Head 55 High Street ...........................................Right - The Bulls Head (far right) seen from the west in the early 1900s (Picture AJM)

Below - The Bulls head on the south side of the High Street
seen from the east in the late 1800s/early 1900s (picture Richard Symonds)

Information from Richard Symonds
Once called the Kings Head in earlier times the Inn dates from 1600 although the present building dates from the later 17th century. Situated on the south side of the High Street it was only called the Bull in existing records of 1628 and 1639. In 1661 it was purchased by John Richardson, maltman, who owned a brewhouse in Bell Street on the site since occupied by the Reigate Garage, but latterly the entrance to Morrison’s Supermarket. The inn was called, the Bell for a short time around 1700.
Petty Sessional Records of 1892 describes the premises as a fully licensed inn owned by Lady Somerset leased by, and tied by trade to Messrs Mellersh & Neale of Reigate, brewers. The licensee Albert Crisford resided on the premises. The inn was frequented by tradesmen and mechanics.
List of Proprietors:
1798 William Robinson - 1799-1807 James Robinson - 1809-1826 Henry Heath - 1839 Elizabeth Heath (of the BulI) -
1855 Wlilliam Heath (of the Bull’s Head) - 1859-1861 John Newman - 1861-1878 David Boston - 1879-1880 Henry Ballard 1880-1882 Alfred Ballard - 1882-1910 Albert Crisford - c1915 Dan Harvey - 1923-1936 - Charles Henry LeFeuvre - c1940 C W Petty - c1965 Bernard Coussens.
Schedule of Deeds & Documents
15 Feb 1875. Licence. Reigate local Board to Mellersh & Neale to build over sewers.
28 Jly 1879. Lease Lord Somers to Mellersh & Neale
5 Oct 1899. Notice of assignment of Leasehold. S.W.Neale to Mellersh & Neale.
13 Apr 1900. Demise of leasehold premises known as Reigate Brewery Mellersh & Neale Ltd to A.J.Hawes.
5 Oct 1912. Lease. Lady Somerset to Mellersh & Neale Ltd.
Additional details from old documents: -
1627/8. Edward Bysshe of Burstow sold it to George Richardson for £40, described as late in occupation of Timothy Fant, sometime in possession of Walter Bysshe. Formerly William Jordan (his heir sold it), John Walker, and his widow, now William Robinson.
1659. Release between George Richardson and John, his son, of the first part, to Michael Aynscombe, for £280, all that messuarye , commonly called the BULL, lands of Richard Lucas on the west , and Benjamin Bonwicke on the east.
I661 Enfeoffment by Michael Aynscombe to Walsingham Heathfield for £300, of premises then in the occupation of Thomas Spencer, gentleman,abutting east on a messuage of Erasmus Bysshe in occupation of John Pledge, cheeseman.
1785 Bryants Survey of this year shows the premises as no214 on terrier and describes it as a messuage with orchard, garden and appurtenances abutting north on the High street, south onto the Priory wall, east on premises in the occupation of Joseph Allingham, west on premises in occupation of George Apps. Worth £5 pa. George Webb polled 1698; John Moreton 1716.

The historian, Ridgeway, notes the sign of the Bull’s Head, kept by Mt Heath.
1843 Census lists hereditament No 919, Bulls Head Public House comprising outbuildings and garden - 23 perches - owned by Earl Somers; run by Elizabeth Heath.
1861 The census lists gives hereditament 323 owned by earl Somers, kept by John Newman.
A Trust Deed dated 1899 gives the property as being leasehold held by Messrs Mellersh & Neale Ltd, at a rent of £35 pa. Held on a lease dated 28^th July 1879, running for 29 years from 25^th March the same year. The lease expired in 1900 and was renewed. The Freehold was purchased 1^st June 1921 for £1,500; in 1938 the quarterly tenancy rent was set at £40 per annum.
References: Ind Coope Archives.

Lower pictures: - The Bulls Head in 1973 and 1975 (both pictures Richard Symonds)

Castle Inn 85 Bell Street

Left- The Castle Inn from an old postcard
Right: The Castle July 2004 after being renamed 'The Priory'. (Both pictures Alan Moore)

Information from Richard Symonds
The Castle did not become an inn until 1857, prior to which it was a butchers shop or fishmongers. Abstract of title can be traced back to the Will of Henry Crunden, deceased, dated 4^th June 1839, he having been seized of the property for 28 years at the time of making his Will. In recent years the pub has suffered a name-change and is now called the Priory.
List of Proprietors: 1861 to 1874 Mr. John Green - 1874 Mary Anne Green - 1878 to 1882 Charles Quait - 1891 to 1904 John Kelie Robinson 69 Bell St. - 1904 to 1915 H. Robinson - 1925 to 1930 George D.Ayliffe - 1936 to 1948 - Tom Sherman - 1951 to 1954 Jeffrey B. Ramsell, 85 Bell St. - 1956 to 1964 Maurice W Hampshire - 1965 to 1968 H. E. Mitchell.
Schedule of Deeds and Documents relating to the Premises
1Oth July 1841. Conveyance. Mrs. Sarah Thatcher to Richard Wood in trust for Henry Thatcher, parcel of land.
29th Jan 1853. Mortgage. Henry Thatcher to Peter Martin, of tenement in Bell Street and of 2 cottages and premlses at Earlswood Common.
25th Dec 1856. Sale Particulars. Property acquired by John Young, of Dorking, brewer, by Public Auction for £400.The Property then being a fishmongers or butchers shop.
25th Jan 1857. Conveyance. From Peter Martin Esq. and trustees of the late Henry Thatcher to John Young, brewer.
21st Dec 1895. Conveyance. From John Young Esq, to Herbert Young and Henry B. Young, of Dorking, brewers, the Castle Inn.
1st July 1897. Conveyance. From J. Young Esq. of Dorking, brewer, to Messrs Friary, Holroyd & Healy’s breweries Ltd.
Petty Sessions records 1892
These describe the Castle as being a fully licensed house frequented by the Artisan classes, owned and tied for trade by John Young of Dorking, brewer, with the licensee, J. K. Robinson, residing on the premises.
Additional Information:
Eves 1860/1 Census shows item listed as 'Public House and garden owned by John Young and kept by John Green'.
Borough Bench, Mon Aug 18,1873: The license of the Castle Inn was transferred, to Mary Anne Green, widow of the late occupier.
June 1878: At the Borough Bench on May 2Oth, Mr. John Young, brewer of Dorking, was formerly ordered to abate a nuisance on premises belonging to him in Bell Street.
Particulars of sale
25 Dec 1856. A very desirable freehold property, a fishmonger’s or butcher’s shop, consisting of a house with shop and extensive premises well suited for business and let to Mr. Henry Paine at £20 per annum, to be sold at auction by Messrs Page & Lees, at the White Hart Hotel, Reigate, on Tuesday the 23^rd December 1856 at three o’clock in one lot, by direction of the Devisees in Trust under the Will of the late Henry Thatcher, deceased. (signed: Thomas Hart, solicitor, Reigate).
The property described in these particulars is of Freehold Tenure and believed to be exonerated from Land Tax. It is situate in Bell Street, Reigate and on the direct line of road from London to Brighton. The premises have been occupied until lately by a Butcher for whose trade they are well adapted but they are equally suitable for the trade of a fishmonger, as at present carried on. The great and increasing importance of Reigate as a Residential District must add to commercial prosperity of the town, and when it is considered that no shops are being built near to the town, it is but reasonable to assume that all shops at present existing, under good management will be found highly remunerative in whatever trade they may be occupied.
The property for sale includes a brick and stone built & slated house possessing side entrance and passage leading to the rear. It comprises, on the ground floor, shop, parlour, and kitchen; on the first floor there are four bed-chambers; and there is cellarage in the basement. In the rear may be found, a timber-built and tiled Wash-house, and a Timber-built and tiled building, hitherto occupied as a Slaughter-house, with a Pound or Layer at end. There is also a small yard and a good piece of garden ground. The fixtures in and about the premises belonging to the vendors will be included in the purchase, but the Tenant claims the Trade Fixtures, Copper and other items, the premises will therefore be sold subject to the Tenant’s Interest (if any) in the said fixtures. The property is let to Mr. Henry Paine, a fishmonger on a yearly Tenancy expiring at Midsummer next, at a very inadequate rent of £20 per Annum.

Chequers

Information from Richard Symonds
In use from the late 17th century until it was pulled down in 1825. Owner & tenant in 1730 was Thomas Munger. Owned in 1759 by Richard Skinner.
References: - Guildford Muniment Room 65/5/28(1); 65/5/10(91).

Cross Keys

Information from Richard Symonds
Mentioned in 1603 when its occupant and his wife died of the Plague. Location unknown.
References: - Guildford Muniment Room 49/1/1.

Crown Formerly situated on the site of 13-17 High Street, Reigate.

Information from Richard Symonds
This was a large inn and one of the best known in the town during its heyday. First mentioned in 1593 it was rebuilt c1655 when the sign was transferred to an inn on the north side of the market place that had previously been called the Three Horseshoes.(Q.V.). It had ceased trading by 1900.
Proprietors: ? to1787 Elizabeth Dibble - c1807 William Turner - 1807 to1819 William Jupp 1820 to1826 John Clement - c1835 William Yerworth - c1839 William Jupp (again) 1843 to1855 William Randall - 1859 to1861 William Bonny - c1878 John Thomas Newman - c1880 John Back - c1882 Hannibal Gardner
Bryants Survey of 1785 shows the premises as no.190 & 191 on its accompanying terrier.
190 was described as a shop and tenement formerly the CROWN INN, abutting south on the Priory wall, east on a passage leading to new erected brewhouse built on part of the field called Crown Field. Worth £15 per annum. Formerly in the occupation of Henry Newman and others, Charles Browne, Joseph Lyfe, William Hatcher, Robert Evans, Thomas Dodge, James Apted and now (1785) of Jeffrey Strudewicke. Sold by heirs of Edward Whiteacre to James Cocks for £400 in 1738. In 1663 it had belonged to Richard Arnold, a butcher, of East Betchworth.
191 was described as a messuage and bakehouse, brewhouse, etc., abutting South and East on premises used heretofore with the Crown Inn, and on which a brewhouse has lately been erected, and west on premises lately in the occupation of Alexander Boughton. Worth £5 per annum. Formerly in the occupation of Nicholas Allingham, Thomas Dewdney, and now James Apted. Part of an ancient estate of Lord Somers. John Dewdney polled 1698; Allen Dewdney 1710; John Crowther 1716. Now Mears (late Mellersh &. Neale brewery, Ed.) — Premises occupied by Thomas Neale who afterwards built the brewery (Ridgeway, l.46). In 1710 it was known as Little Knights. Purchased by Sir J. Jekyll of John Ward on behalf of himself and Charles Cocks and in 1727 by deed of partition, conveyed with 193, 195, and six other premises purchased of Ward, Jarnes Martin, and William Day, to James Cocks, eldest son of Charles. Messuage called Little Knights,with little stable, garden backside, charnber over Crown Gate, with the gate of the sign of the Crown fixed to post of said messuage.
As to the new premises over the road, Bryant's ref is no 107 and shown as East to Richard Yerworth. Formerly in the

occupation of Mrs Mary Martin, John Wix, John Cole, Thornas Dibble, now widow Dibble, as under-tenant to William Bryant, Jnr. THE CRCWN INN, pn. Late Dibble. Messuage, garden, greenhouse, stable, and other outbuildings (and brewhouse in 1749), abutting west onto a passage leading behind sarne. Worth, when repaired, £16 per annum. Called the CROWN INN (see 190 for former same). Benjamin Nodes in 1749 sold it to Philip, 2nd Earl Hardwicke. Benjamin Nodes was a nephew of Richard Kay, draper.James Martin polled 1698.
In 17th century, described as all that west part of a great messuage situate in the Borough called the THREE HORSESHOES; (q.v.)
In 1647, Thomas Beadle of London conveyed it to Thomas Blatt of Fengates, tanner.
There is also a reference that in the time of Elizabeth I, one Henry Matthew sold it to a George Wattle, who later passed it to his son, Jo, and subsequently in 1651, Jo Wattle sold it to Richard Arnold.
Tythe map 1843.
No 767. CROWN INN, outbuildings, and garden. 13 poles Gives Earl Somers as owner, and kept by William Randall.
Sale Particulars
47 Georgii III. Seff.2.cap.122 (From an Act confirming the sales, made under the directions of the Court of Chancery of several estates devised by the Will of Thomas Cooper of Leatherhead, deceased 13^th August 1807). The CROWN at Ryegate – consisting of a large convenient dwelling house in the market Place, two stables, a yard, malting house, and out-buildings, and a garden, held for a term, of which 46 years were unexpired at lady Day 1805, at a yearly rent of £10, in the occupation of William Turner, tenant, at will, at the rent of £26. 5s.
Eves Census 1860/61. .
Property no 205. gives Mellersh & Neale as owners and kept by William Bonny
References: SC 445/1 f107, 186-191 and Calendar of Proceedings in Chancery 11 193.

Steps leading from near the site of the old
Crown Inn to the Castle Grounds are
still known as the Crown Steps today (Picture AJM)

The Crown 1820

The Crown from an engraving

(both pictures Richard Symonds)

Desert Rat (formerly Lesbourne Hall, now the Venture Inn) 11, Lesbourne Road, Reigate

Information from Richard Symonds
The age of this pub is not known but a Petty Sessions report of 1852 described it as a fully licensed inn, owned and tied by trade to Messrs Mellersh & Neale of Reigate, brewers. The then licensee, C Briggs, lived on the premises. It said that the Inn wass frequented by local tradesmen and artisans. At this time this pub was called the Lesbourne Hall but on the 6th April 1952 there was the unveiling of new sign “Desert Rat”, renaming it in honour of the son of the then landlord Leonard Henry Roper, who perished in the desert during WW2.
SCHEDULE OF DEEDS AND DOCUMENTS SEEN
10 July 1891 Contract for sale & Purchase. Charrington & others to Messrs Mellersh & Neale.
1893. Requisitions on Title. Mellersh & Neale & Martins Trustees.
29 Dec 1893. Conveyance:- J Charrington & Others to Messrs F Mellersh & SW Neale (With Plan).
1st Jan 1934. Correspondence between Paxton Watson & Son, Harrie Stacie & Son, Mellersh & Neale (with plan)
5th April 1934; Correspondence between Paxton Watson & Son, Harrie Stacie & Son, Mellersh & Neale (with plan)

Proprietors:
c1878 William Romain - c1882 Maria Romain - 1891-1901 Charles Briggs - 1915-1923 Ernest Henry Neill - 1926-1930 Mrs F Neill - 1936-1968 Leonard Henry Roper. In 1938 the quarterly tenancy rent was £100 pa

Additional information from Peter Taylor
Reigate was, for many years, an important part of the London public transport empire. Up to 250 white collar staff were employed in Bell Street and Lesbourne Road until the mid-80s. The Desert Rat was the unofficial canteen for many staff (the bus garage being almost opposite) and had an upper space for which the term "Smoke Filled Room" was entirely appropriate. Often, union meetings were held here and much plotting, revolting and drinking, took place. Also, a tradition for many years was the provision of a lunchtime bus from Reigate to the Beehive at Woodhatch. Long after any commercial justification for this service had vanished, the bus continued to run, as legend had it, to provide a quick lunchtime getaway for the bus staff!


(1) Glover's Cottages used to stand opposite the pub when it was the Lesbourne Hall (Richard Symonds)	(2) The Lesbourne Hall is on the right and Glover's Cottages on the left in this picture from the early 1900s	(3) The Lesbourne Hall behind the trees at Christmas 1925 (Richard Symonds)

(4) As the Lebourne Hall pre-1938 (Richard Symonds)	(5) As the Desert Rat before 1972 (Richard Symonds)	(6) As the Venture Inn 2004 (Alan Moore)

(7) Mr & Mrs Neill and a recruiting party (probably from a local regiment) outside the Lesbourne Hall during WW1) (Richard Symonds)	(8) As the Desert Rat in 1971 (Richard Symonds)	(9) Another view down Lesbourne Road towards its junction with Bell Street in the 1920s/30s. The Lesbourne Hall is on the left. (Alan Moore)

(10) Road menders at work in Lesbourne Road in 1925. Perhaps they used the Lesbourne Hall seen here behind the trees (Richard Symonds)	(11) Another picture of Lesbourne Road and the Lesbourne Hall pub in 1925 (Richard Symonds)	(12) A similar view to the previous two pictures but taken in 1973 (Richard Symonds)

Eagle Hotel 46 Croydon Road

The board to the left of the pub in the lefthand picture is advertising Finch's cycles.

The righthand picture shows a beer delivery being made.

(Both Pictures coutesy Richard Symonds)

Information from Richard Symonds
The Eagle, 46 Croydon Road, Reigate. Built circa 1860, the Eagle stood on the eastern side of Croydon Road, Reigate, between the railway bridge and junction with Doods Road. The 1862 edition of Kelly's Directory for Surrey lists Arthur John Charles White as a "Common Brewer" at the Eagle Brewery, Hotel and Tap. Arthur J C White came to Reigate from Weybridge in 1859 where for some time previously he carried out the same trade. Curiously enough he does not appear in the 1861 Census for Reigate. AJC White died on 28th Sept 1893, although he had left the running of the inn (at least by 1884) in the capable hands of his eldest son Arthur Henry White, who continued on for another eight years. His 2nd son Horatio had moved to the Roses Brewery in Redhill by 1887 to carry on the family craft there.
The Petty Sessional Report for 1892 describes the Eagle as a "fully-licensed house owned and tied by trade to The Friary Brewery Co Ltd of Guildford." Curiously enough, it goes on to say that it was "Run by A J White who resides on the premises; the Inn is frequented by gentlemen's servants and labourers." Arthur Henry White eventually sold the freehold of the Inn to Friary Holroyd & Healy's Breweries Ltd of Guildford on 17th June 1896. The brewhouse of the Eagle had fallen into disuse but the Hotel continued on, the bar of which being supplied by Friary. The Eagle closed in 1956, and the licence crossed the road to the Panther PH. The old Eagle premises finished life as a local office for Friary Meux Ltd. In the 1898 Kelly's Directory the proprietor is shown as John George May. Between 1900 and 1910, the proprietor's name was Jonathan George May, but in 1910 there is no record of a landlord. However, next door, there was a beer-retailer named William Argent, who became the proprietor of the Eagle in 1915. his address was 24 Croydon Road, on the other side of Doods road. Argent remained until 1923. Between 1926 and 1956, William Coomber was the landlord and the address was 48 Croydon Road. Between 1965 and 1968 the building became the area office of Friary Meux Ltd, and by then had ceased to be a pub, the licence as stated above, having been transferred over the road to the Panther.
References: Neale Papers; Ind Coope Archives.


The Eagle Hotel was boarded up awaiting demolition in November 2007 (the Panther pub in the background)	The rear of the old Eagle Hotel in November 2007	One of the plaques still faintly bears the words 'Eagle Hotel'.
(All three pictures Alan Moore)

Email from John Reffell - Hi there, My family have a history of brewing and publicans and I believe that we may have had some contact in the distant past regarding The Somers Arms at Reffells Bridge in Redhill. My website details much history of the brewing side of the family in Surrey and Kent, I have now found some information concerning the Eagle Hotel at Reigate that I hope may be of some interest to you. One of John REFFELL's children was called Harriett, born 1829 in Shere. On 1/10/1850 she married Arthur John Charles WHITE who is noted on your excellent web site as being landlord of the Eagle in a Kelly's of 1862. You mention that this is not confirmed in the 1861 census. I have found that on this date, the family were in fact at Portswood Road in Southampton (reference: RG9; Piece: 682; Folio: 37; Page: 17), and thus probably did not move to Reigate until 1861/2. When this research is complete, I hope to add another page for this part of the WHITE family and wonder if you would have any objection if I used some of the information and a low-resolution copy of the photograph of the Eagle that you have on your website. I would provide a link back to your website of course. Thanks once again for the terrific website - John. For more information see http://www.reffell.org.uk/people/gomshallbrewery.htm ........................................................................ & http://www.reffell.org.uk/people/somersarms.html Thanks very much for the information, John. Being as reference is aslo made to the Somers Arms at Redhill your email has been posted on the Pubs of Redhill webpage too. Best of luck with future research. Alan and Richard