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Olde Boar's Head
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The Olde Boar's Head
is thought to date back to at least 1587. The
building itself has a fireplace with that date
inscribed, although there are dates inscribed elsewhere,
for example a stone lintel in the cellar has 1632
marked. The building itself has had many additions
made to it during it's long history so these dates may
suggest different phases of building work. It is known
that the
building was part of an ancient row of cottages and
operated as a coaching inn on the former Chester to York
highway. |
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During the English Civil War Middleton became a
staunchly Parliamentarian and the Olde
Boar's Head became the Roundhead's Headquarters for the
area.
It has also been documented
that in 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie whilst fleeing back
to Scotland with the Redcoats in hot pursuit took refuge
at the Olde Boar's Head.
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According to local legend,
Dick Turpin stopped at the Inn to rest on his way to
York; however there is no evidence of this.
Another legend is that a
secret tunnel exists which links the inn and the parish
church which is on the hill opposite, no trace of this
has been found. This tunnel may have been confused
with another legendary tunnel between the Ring 'O Bells
Inn and
St. Leonard's Parish Church.
This tunnel was said to have been used by the son of Lord Stanycliffe (A
Cavalier) to flee the Ring O' Bells cellars after being
betrayed to the Roundheads. Apparently, "Edward" did manage to
escape the cellars but was caught and killed by the
Roundheads who were waiting at the church end of the
tunnel.
The Sessions House was added to the inn during
the early nineteenth century, this was the local
court for the town. Local justice was
administered from the Sessions House; people
were tried, convicted and even sent to the
gallows.
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The Olde Boar's Head is
mentioned in
Samuel Bamford's publication 'Early Years
1849-1859', he makes reference to a room called 'the
thrashing-bay', according to
Bamford's account this was a room where hand to
hand fighting contests took place.
Bamford's
father in his youth was coerced in to taking
part in such a fight, "it lasted two full hours, up and
down fighting, and at the end of that time his
adversary, a very powerful man from a neighbouring
township, lay helpless on the floor, and had to
be carried home by his companions".
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In 1919 the local council allocated
£18,000 for a memorial to soldiers of Middleton who had
died during the Great War. The memorial was to be a new
Town Hall, the building was to be sited on Long Street
and required the demolition of the Olde Boar’s Head.
Thankfully the planned Town Hall never left the drawing
board.
During recent times
the Inn has been restored, and is popular
for its warm atmosphere, great beer (J.W. Lees)
and fine food. |
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