Category: Inns, Pubs, Beerhouses and Temperance In Warminster

Information and pictures for inns, public houses, beerhouses, drinking hostelries, and the temperance movement in Warminster.

The Nag’s Head Is Included In William Buckler’s Memoranda Book

An 18th century Memoranda book of William Buckler of Boreham, Warminster, principally consisting of surveys of his leasehold lands, including the public house The Nag’s Head, can be found in the archives at the Wiltshire And Swindon History Centre at Cocklebury Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 2QN. The reference number is 2875/1.

Deeds And A Sale Particular Of A House Formerly Called The Half Moon

Deeds and a sale particular of a house formerly called the Half Moon and land later the Home Nursery, Boreham Road, Warminster, can be found in the archives at the Wiltshire And Swindon History Centre at Cocklebury Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 2QN. They date 1791 – 1885. The reference number is 628/23/2.

Deeds To 10 Houses In Back Alley And Deeds Of The White Swan Inn, East Street, Warminster, 1795-1879

The Wiltshire And Swindon History Centre, at Cocklebury Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 3QN, holds the following document(s):

Deeds of the White Swan Inn, East Street, Warminster, so named from 1875. Earlier deeds relate to 10 houses in Back alley converted to 2 by 1811, 2 of 4 newly built from 1818. The address changes from Back alley to East Street by 1824. Parties: Halliday, Down, Pullen, Blake. 1795-1879. Reference 2102/22.

Thomas Adlam’s Accident With A Gun

The Warminster Herald, Saturday 12 January 1878, reported:

SAD GUN ACCIDENT.- On Thursday morning last, Thomas Adlam, a very steady and respectable young man, in the employ of Mr. Holton, landlord of the Ship and Punch Bowl Inn [Silver Street, Warminster], loaded, with a small charge of powder and shot, an old, rusty, and unsafe gun he had obtained possession of, and shot at a thrush in his master’s garden. The barrel burst, and literally shattered his left hand to pieces. The shock was very severe, besides the actual damage to the hand, as may well be supposed when we say that the gun barrel was a mass of fragments, and that the old stock was sent flying several yards from the unfortunate man.

Medical assistance was quickly provided, and it was deemed desirable that the poor man should at once be taken to the Cottage Hospital, which most excellent institution, although having among other patients a somewhat similar case to deal with (the foot instead of the hand), was prepared at once to receive him. The united medical skill of the town, freely given, as at all cases at the hospital, will be devoted to his case, and we trust the poor fellow will pull through.

Drunk Or Merely Excited?

In June 1875, Charles Dredge, the landlord of the Old Bell Inn, Warminster, was charged with being drunk while in charge of a horse and trap, returning from Heytesbury Fair.

The magistrates bench, presided over by Lord Heytesbury, couldn’t make up their minds as to whether Mr. Dredge had been drunk or merely excited. They decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and dismissed the case.

Henry Ball Absent From His Service As An Apprentice

From The Warminster Herald, Saturday 29th November 1873:

Henry Ball was charged by Mr. Benjamin Parsons with absenting himself from his service as an apprentice at Warminster, on the 24th November. Mr. Parsons stated that defendant was at work at Boreham, on the day in question, and never returned to work after dinner, but had spent the afternoon at the “Yew Tree.” He also referred to the previous conduct of the defendant. On the 1st October, 1872, he was before the bench, when defendant expressed his sorrow and promised not to offend again. Fined £1 and costs or 14 days’ hard labour.

Sale Particulars Of The Mason’s Arms, Warminster, And Cottages At Bugley And Woodcock, 1873

Sale particulars of the Mason’s Arms, Warminster; cottages at Woodcock and Bugley, can be found in the archives at the Wiltshire And Swindon History Centre at Cocklebury Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 2QN. They date 1873. The reference number is 1485/3.

Warminster’s Angel Inn To Be Sold By Auction

The Warminster Miscellany, 1 May 1862, advert:

“VERY DESIRABLE FREEHOLD PROPERTY, WARMINSTER. – TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, by MR. BEDFORD, at the Bath Arms Inn, Warminster, on MONDAY, the 19th day of MAY, 1862, at Six o’Clock in the Evening, – subject to such Conditions as will then be produced, –

All that Capital MESSUAGE or DWELLING-HOUSE Situate at the Top of High-Street in Warminster, formerly known as the Angel Inn, – comprising numerous Sitting and Bed Rooms, Servants’ Rooms, and commodious Offices, extensive range of Stabling, Corn-Stores, large Yard, Walled-in Garden, and TWO EXCELLENT PADDOCKS of RICH PASTURE LAND, the whole containing by admeasurement 3a, 2r. 36p., and now in the occupation of Mr. DUNN, as Tenant thereof.

The above Property will be sold subject to a Lease for 21 years, commencing from the 29th day of September 1855, which may be determined by the Tenant at Michaelmas, 1869, at a yearly Rent of £65, which Lease will be produced in the Auction-room.

This Land and Premises present a very good opportunity for investment, being well situated for business, and having a Way at the back leading to Weymouth-street and Christ Church. The Tenant will show the Property, and further particulars may be obtained of the Auctioneer, or of MR. CHAPMAN, Solicitor, Warminster.”

To Be Let: The White Swan, East Street, Warminster

Advertisement in the Warminster Miscellany And Local Advertiser, issue dated 1st May 1862:

To Innkeepers. To be let, with immediate possession – “The White Swan” in East Street, Warminster. The Stock-in-Trade to be taken at valuation. For particulars apply to Mr. Prangley, Solicitor, Heytesbury.