Bizarre, Odd And Unusual British Pub Names

Bizarre, Odd And Unusual British Pub Names

Updated on July 17, 2013
British Pub Names
Inns, hostelries, public houses or taverns, name them what you will, these bastions of booze have been around for centuries. In times passed by, their names were often chosen for the convenience with which they could be illustrated; the shoppers would have been largely illiterate, so a pictorial sign would have been a must. Many pub names recur throughout the nation and have retained their reputation for centuries. A couple of are unusual, if not distinctive. Listed here are a couple of of the Britain's oddest pub names.
The Bucket of Blood's Inn Signal
The Bucket of Blood Pub Sign at Phillack Source
The place to Discover the Bucket of Blood
Bucket of Blood, Phillack -
Bucket of Blood, 14 Churchtown Highway, Phillack, Hayle, Cornwall TR27 5AE, UK
The Bucket of Blood, Cornwall
The Bucket of Blood at Phillack is the only pub in Britain to bear this identify. Nowadays, it is a pleasant pub in the centre of the small city of Hayle, serving good Cornish food and local beer. The St Austell Brewery, which runs the inn, has named an ale after the pub. The beer is a purple ale (naturally!), made with spicy hops.
Apparently the inn did not have such a welcoming facet some 200 years in the past and was the common hang-out for native smugglers and criminals. The gory name arose when one morning the owner went out to the nicely to attract a bucket of water and as an alternative pulled up a bucket of blood. On investigating the cause, it was discovered that a body lay on the bottom of the nicely. The mutilated corpse was allegedly that of a Revenue officer, disposed of by the pub patrons.
Unsurprisingly, the pub is now rumoured to be haunted Spectral figures allegedly stand on the opposite aspect of the street, gazing at the pub, whilst inside there have been studies of strange noises and unexplained phenomena. Some sources cite the pub as one of the top ten haunted pubs in Britain.
The pub signal is fairly splendid and lives as much as the outdated custom of telling the pub's identify by means of a picture. I doubt that anyone seeing this sign might move by with out eager to go inside to find out the story behind the name - perfect advertising!
The Only Working Footman Pub
Source
5 Charles Street, Mayfair, London -
5 Charles St, Westminster, London W1J 5, UK
The Solely Running Footman, Mayfair
Whether recognized by its former name I'm the Only Operating Footman or its slimmed down trendy version The Only Operating Footman, that is an intriguing title for a pub. Its origins lie with its founder who was, unsurprisingly, a footman. However what's a footman, and why would he be operating?
Footmen were employed by very wealthy households in London to run earlier than their carriages to clear the way in which, the narrow metropolis streets being crowded with people, carts and animals. Over time town streets had been improved (significantly after the Great Fire) and the need for footmen in their unique function disappeared. However, the job evolved and so they became family servants, called upon to run errands. Often they had been picked for their stature and attractiveness. They also lived out their employers' vicarious athletic ambitions, typically collaborating in running races with rival households.
One in all these running footmen retired from service and was in a position to purchase an establishment in a mews off Berkeley Sq. in Mayfair to cater for his former colleagues. He named it I'm the Solely Working Footman, presumably because he felt he was the final of his form.
The pub is now a popular gastro-pub, serving traditional British food and gaining beneficial opinions from the critics. Why they dropped the "I am" from the title is a thriller - it appears a disgrace, but nonetheless it remains a charming name.
The Q Inn Has Received an Award....
A Plaque at the Q Inn, Stalybridge Supply
The Q Inn, Stalybridge
Stalybridge can boast two entries in the Guinness Guide of Data. One is for this pub name, formally the shortest pub identify in Britain. Though the current pub is fairly fashionable, it's named after an earlier hostelry that stood close by, bearing the identify Q Inn.
Why is it the Q Inn - I can not discover an answer to that! If you would like to do your own detective work, you may visit the pub at three Market Road, Stalybridge.
.. As Has the Rifleman Inn
Supply
The Old Thirteenth Cheshire Astley Volunteer Rifleman Corps Inn, Stalybridge
The Q Inn is not Stalybridge's only file breaking pub; The Old Thirteenth Cheshire Astley Volunteer Rifleman Corps Inn is the opposite one, holding the record for the longest pub title in Britain. Locals shorten the identify to the extra manageable "RIfleman Inn". Like the Q Inn, the Rifleman Inn boasts a blue plaque outside as well as its personal entry within the Guinness Guide of Records.
The Distinctive Exterior of the Peveril of the Peaks
The Peveril of the Peaks, Manchester Source
Most Common Pub Names
Royal Oak
Purple Lion
Peveril of the Peak, Manchester
The Peveril of the Peak, or The Pev to the locals, dates from 1829. It has withstood the onslaught of time remarkably effectively and sits like a little bit island beneath the towering trendy buildings around it. Now a Grade II listed building, it has distinctive inexperienced ceramic tiles around its exterior. Evaluations of the pub praise it for its pleasant service, stay music and real ales.
The title dates again to the pub's beginnings as a coaching inn. One of many fastest stagecoaches on the Manchester to London route was named the Peveril of the Peak, making the journey in a swift two days. So spectacular was this feat that the inn took the coach's title. You could find the pub at 127 Bridgewater Avenue, Manchester - look out for the ghost too!
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Comments forty seven comments
gryphin423 5 years in the past from Florida
As all the time, I really like your hubs! We at all times beloved the names of the pubs once we lived there and some have been so odd. We used to make up names like "The Onion and Pheasant", stuff like that. The names were usually matched in appeal. Thanks for sharing Judi Bee!
Happyboomernurse 5 years in the past from South Carolina
Very interesting hub about British pub names and the historical past behind the pubs and names. The Bucket of Blood was an unexpectedly gruesome tale but well written.
Voted up and interesting.
Author
Hiya Kate - a pleasure to hear from you! I am so glad to seek out out that mine just isn't the only family that does things like make up unusual new pub names - generally I do fear that we're a bit too odd!
Thanks for your comments :-)
Author
Thanks Happyboomernurse - The Bucket of Blood is certainly a gory tale, although I'm quite taken with the title I Am The Solely Working Footman - in no way ugly, however totally distinctive.
Thanks to your comments, much appreciated :-)
Eiddwen 5 years in the past from Wales
Very nteresting indeed. take care and have an exquisite weekend.
Eddy.
Author
Hi Eddy - thanks for stopping by, have an incredible weekend too :-)
Seeker7 5 years in the past from Fife, Scotland
I love history, pubs, booze - in moderation - and spooks, so this hub was an absolute dream for me. It always fascinates me how names evolve or come into being so this glorious hub has glad a lot of my curiosity in such issues. I feel my favourite identify general is 'The Bucket of Blood' and my favourite story is 'The Only Working Footman'. An superior hub! Voted up.
Judi Bee 5 years in the past from UK
Writer
Hi Seeker7 - I'm in whole agreement with you on favourite identify and favorite story. Cannot say I discover the title Bucket of Blood appetising, but I couldn't cross it by with no peek inside.
Thanks for your very sort comments, very a lot appreciated :-)
Movie Master 5 years in the past from United Kingdom
Wonderful hub Judi, I simply love the 'bucket of blood' story - how gory, brilliant!
Properly written, votting up, best wishes MM
Judi Bee 5 years ago from UK
Writer
Hello Film Master - The Bucket of Blood seems to be everybody's favorite, fairly deservedly - utterly gruesome!
Thanks in your feedback, appreciated as all the time :-)
cosmicjellybaby 4 years in the past from UK
Love the Hub! What about The Malbororough in Chester? They have been portray the sign as soon as and whoever did it misspelled its authentic identify, The Marlborough. They favored it a lot that they caught with the misspelling.
merchantdoctor four years ago from Reno
Thanks for the good Monday morning read! Nothing like a great pub to end the day!
JasonCulley four years in the past from Cheyenne, WY
Great HUB. Spent 8 of my years in the Air Drive, stationed in England and noticed some fascinating names.
Judi Bee four years in the past from UK
Writer
Hello Cosmicjellybaby - hadn't come across The Malbororough - nice story, should be a nightmare to say if you've had one pint too many!
Thanks on your feedback, I admire them :-)
Judi Bee 4 years in the past from UK
Writer
Hiya Merchantdoctor - glad you loved the learn, hope you pull up a barstool once more quickly!
Thanks for your comments, very appreciated :-)
Judi Bee 4 years ago from UK
Writer
Hello Jason - very happy to hear that you just loved this hub. I guess you noticed some attention-grabbing sights, in addition to fascinating names, in the pubs of England!
Nice to have your comments, thanks very a lot :-)
Beth Pipe four years ago from Cumbria, UK
Love this hub! Such a disgrace we're losing so many wonderful bits of historical past thru so many pub closures and takeovers by faceless breweries.
Judi Bee four years ago from UK
Writer
Whats up Beth - it's unusual that most people I do know say they like traditional pubs, but we are seeing them closed, refurbished and re-branded, usually into a parody of a conventional pub. That is progress, I suppose!
Thanks very much for your comments :-)
MobyWho four years ago from Burlington VT
This really refired my angst. How we miss the environment of the pubs and small inns of the UK...all so friendly and warm - even to outsider Yankee vacationers. And remember the usual drowsy dog laying by the hearth! Ah, Bliss!
Judi Bee four years in the past from UK
Writer
Oh no, MobyWho, I do not want to cause you angst! Appears like you've got some very fond memories, which I am very glad to listen to.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting - much appreciated
:-)
princesswithapen 4 years in the past
It is really not stunning that The Bucket of Blood is now thought to be haunted. That's a scary identify for a pub and has a scary story to go along with it. It was quite intriguing studying about the historical past that went together with the names of these pubs. Awesome hub!
Princesswithapen
Writer
Hi Princesswithapen - yes, it will be a bit disappointing if the Bucket of Blood was peaceful and twee!
Glad to hear that you loved this hub, many thanks in your comments :-)
Pamela N Red 4 years ago from Oklahoma
Nice story. The Bucket Of Blood feels like a scary place with a gory historical past. We don't have locations that old here in Oklahoma since we are a young state.
Judi Bee 4 years in the past from UK
Author
Hi Pamela - thanks to your visit. Chances are you'll not have any previous places, but your state does have a very tremendous musical named after it!
Thanks in your remark, good to listen to from you :-)
Daisy Mariposa four years ago from Orange County (Southern California)
Judi Bee,
I've enjoyed your sequence of articles about British pubs. I believe I like this one the very best. Well completed!
iamaudraleigh four years ago
Superior hub!!! Blissful reminder of visiting my sister in London when she lived there! Kuddos...voted up!
DeborahNeyens 4 years ago from Iowa
I see Royal Oak is one of the most typical pub names. We live in a subdivision in Iowa known as Royal Oaks. A couple of years in the past, I discovered an genuine English pub sign from a type of Royal Oak pubs. I bought it for my husband for Christmas to hang in our basement bar. It's enormous, and fairly the showpiece. The neighbors assume it is nice that we now have our personal Royal Oak pub in Royal Oaks!
Judi Bee four years ago from UK
Creator
Hello Daisy - I've loved writing about pubs! I really like the stories behind the names, it is an enchanting piece of social historical past.
Thanks so much on your go to and for sharing this hub :-)
Judi Bee 4 years in the past from UK
Creator
Hi iamaudraleigh (can I name you Audra?)- nice to hear your feedback, thanks for taking the time to stop by :-)
Judi Bee 4 years in the past from UK
Writer
Hello Deborah - among the outdated pub indicators are stunning - fortunate you for locating one! I'm sure that you're the envy of all of your neighbours.
Thanks to your feedback, I respect them :-)
iamaudraleigh four years ago
Hi Judi...Audra or Audi are simply effective :) You are welcome!
MP50 four years in the past
Great Hub, thanks for sharing such fascinating and helpful info. Voted up:-)
Judi Bee four years in the past from UK
Author
Hi MP50 - thanks for studying and taking the time to remark. I'm glad that you simply discovered this fascinating :-)
rlaha four years in the past from Spartanburg, SC
Hi. This was so attention-grabbing. I've always puzzled where the owners give you the names for their pubs. Thanks for sharing!
Judi Bee 4 years in the past from UK
Author
Hello rlaha - glad you discovered this fascinating, a number of the names are fascinating, aren't they!
Thanks in your feedback, a lot appreciated :-)
rlaha 4 years in the past from Spartanburg, SC
Hello Judi Bee. Sure, some of the names are strange, and some are just cool :).
Judi Bee four years ago from UK
Author
Hi rlaha - I assume they are pretty cool, aren't they! Thanks for taking the time to comment, it's appreciated :-)
PDXKaraokeGuy four years in the past from Portland, Oregon
Judi... this seems like fun. I've all the time wanted to go to an English pub. Out right here in the Northwest US, we have now a household of pubs referred to as McMenamins. They convert outdated buildings, like funeral homes, church buildings and orphanages into pubs and motels.
Judi Bee four years ago from UK
Creator
Hello PDX - we too have corporations that convert previous buildings into new pubs, which is type of odd seeing as so many old pubs are going out of business!
AudreyHowitt four years ago from California
What an fascinating hub-it's fascinating to see how these places received their names and to remember how previous they are-Thank you!
Judi Bee four years ago from UK
Writer
Hello Audrey - this is one of my favourite hubs, I actually loved researching for it. I am so glad that you simply loved reading it.
Thanks for taking the time to comment, I recognize it :-)
Brainy Bunny four years in the past from Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
Great history! I hope sometime to make my strategy to the UK to see some historic pubs in particular person (and maybe knock again a number of while I am there. )
Judi Bee 4 years in the past from UK
Writer
Hi Brainy Bunny - glad you loved this hub, let's hope you get to one of the pubs some day quickly (maybe I'll stand you a pint if you happen to do!)
Thanks very a lot for commenting, I appreciate it :-)
STEVEW13 four years ago from Norwich, England
Great hub Judi, The Previous Thirteenth Cheshire Astley Volunteer Rifleman Corps Inn, is sort of a mouthful, I imagine that is tricky ordering a taxi residence from there after you may have had a couple of! Voted up!
Judi Bee four years ago from UK
Author
Hi Stevew13 - I wager you solely must say "The Outdated.." and the taxi company know the place you are! Glad that you loved this hub. Thanks very much for commenting, a lot appreciated :-)
tastiger04 three years ago
These are awesome! I need to go to the Bucket of Blood :) So long as chilly beer is on faucet, I won't concern the ghosts lol. Voted up!
Judi Bee 3 years ago from UK
Author
Hello tastiger04 - I am the other - if there have been ghosts, I would not care concerning the beer :D
Cheers!
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