North Laine's disappeared pubs
The sober pub crawl - spirits of yesterday but none today
By Maureen Brand, North Laine resident
In an article in the North Laine Runner in 1996 it was noted and mapped that there were 81 North Laine pubs in 1910. The area we know as North Laine today grew during the 19th century and with it many taverns to serve the artisan area. Some have now disappeared entirely. 0thers continue as public houses but with a change of name (for instance the Pedestrian Arms is now The Foundry), and some inn buildings are now in other use.
A pub crawl
This therefore is a pub crawl with a difference - a trail around North Laine for those interested in local history and buildings. Can you identify those buildings which once were pubs but which now ply other trades or have reverted to terraced cottages?
If we start by walking down Gloucester Road from Queen's Road, look first to the left at No 83 which used to be the Sea Serpent, on the eastern corner with Over Street. Today it is a training centre but some will remember it recently as a dance academy. Across the road just beyond the Post Office sorting office at No 41 was the Wick Inn and the bracket for the pub sign is still there. In Kemp Street, on the left at the Trafalgar Street end, was the Blue Anchor at No 29.
Returning to Gloucester Road and walking down, on the eastern corner with Kensington Place was once the Nightingale at No 96 (now Yashar Bish) and a detour along Kensington Place will find No 17, at one time the Hearts of Oak.
Back in Gloucester Road turn left into Tidy Street. No 23 was the Rising Sun and opposite at No 33 the Brazen Star, later the Gas Fitters Arms. Turn right into Trafalgar Street and take the first right into Sydney Street, where No 21 was once the Abingdon Arms, now the Bead Shop.
Walk back up Gloucester Road. No 28 (look for the sausage shop) was the Union Inn, where cricket was once played outside. No 24, now Ju-Ju, was the Charleville Arms and in Queen's Gardens at No 7 was the Queen's Tavern.
Walk now along Queen's Gardens to North Road. To the right at the corner with Frederick Street at No 58 was the Blue Posts. At the eastern corner with Foundry Street No 66 was once the Dolphin. Look up and see the old name. To the left near the bottom of North Road on the corner with Vine Street was the Red Lion, No 99 now dispensing a different sort of foam. Look up towards the roof. The name is still visible as well as a stucco lion. These are the pub buildings of yesterday, no longer licensed.
Much of Church Street (below Queen's Road) has been rebuilt over the years and it is difficult to recognise any old tavern buildings. Gone are the Regent, Black Lion, Royal Princess, Gardeners Arms, Lamb Inn, Brewers Arms and Spring Tavern.
There are others in North Laine long gone, for instance The Canteen at 20 Gloucester Road, but all is not lost. North Laine today offers 19 pubs plus other licensed premises. You will be very welcome in any of them.
This gallery was added on 19/03/2008.