Dorking, Rose Hill 1906

Photo ref: 54666

More about this scene

here were many public houses and inns in the town. Those still trading are the Surrey Yeoman (see 46016 overleaf), the Bull's Head (Rose Hill, which we can see in 54666, right, with its entrance on the corner of the High Street and just behind the Bull's Head), the White Hart, the Jolly Butchers, the Malthouse (formerly the Rising Sun), the Spotted Dog, the Cricketers Arms, the Queen's Head, the Pilgrim (formerly the Station Hotel), the Bush, the Windmill (now closed), the Stepping Stones, the Royal Oak, the Plough, the Falkland Arms, the Prince of Wales, the Star and the Old House at Home. The King's Arms, in West Street, opened as a coaching inn by Edward Goodwyn in about 1590 to catch the Guildford to London trade. Those that are no longer trading are the Ram, the Three Tonnes, the Market House, the Grapes, the Sun, the Wheatsheaf (now a bookshop), the Chequers Arms, the Bricklayers Arms, the Gun (the building remains), the Old King's Arms, the White Lion, the Arundel Arms (now housing), the Queen's Arms, the Rose & Crown (a lighting shop), the Bell (solicitors), the Pig & Piece of Pink String and the Beehive (now a private house). The rest have been demolished. The Red Lion, which was demolished in 1964, was a hotel, as is the White Horse, which sits in the centre of the town, and the Lincoln Arms, which stands in Lincoln Road at the entrance to the main line railway station; it was originally called the Star and Garter. Brewers and maltsters became established in the town during the 19th and 20th centuries: Griffen Beal of Westcott, John Young (1897) in West Street, and William Boxall who owned the Sun Brewery in the High Street. Boxall's was taken over by the Swan Brewery of Leatherhead in April 1907. Edward Lucock was also in the High Street, and James Cheeseman had his brewery in South Street. The Red Lion Brewery was also in the High Street. A large quantity of ale must have been consumed during business hours and on market days. The Spotted Dog was originally opened as a beer shop soon after the Duke of Wellington Beer Act.