Name: Willow Tree Inn
Address: South Road, Alnwick
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| 1851 OS Map |
Willow Tree Inn was originally a farm, run by William Holmes and his wife Elizabeth on South Road, Alnwick. In 1841 his occupation is listed as farmer, but 10 years later he is recorded as an innkeeper, so the inn probably opened in the 1840s, although it may date back earlier.
First reference I can find is in the Newcastle Journal Death Notices published on Saturday, July 16th 1842.
On the 10th inst. aged 15, Miss Margaret Holmes. At the Willow Tree Inn, near Alnwick, on the 10th inst aged 15, Margaret, daughter of Mr. William Holmes.
Some history of the inn is available on the Northumberland Name Books site, records of the fieldwork done by Royal Engineers surveyors and civilian assistants as a basis for First Edition Six Inch maps and subsequent maps around 1860.
The inn is described as, "a small publick house with yard and garden attached".
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| 1841 William Holmes (Farmer) |
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| 1851 Census William Holmes (Innkeeper) |
SINGULAR INSTANCE Or TENACITY OF LIFE IN A HORSE
On the evening of Tuesday, the 27th ult., a person belonging to Cawledge Park, near Alnwick, went into the Willow Tree public house, on the south turnpike road, leaving a horse and cart, which he had been driving, standing at the door. On his coming out of the house, after having been inside for some time, the horse and cart were missing, and were nowhere to be found, It was snowing heavily at the time; the night was intensely cold, and the horse, encumbered; as it was, had left the door, and proceeded towards its home, but had wandered from its path, and got into the plantations of Cawledge Park, where it became so inextricably entangled amongst the low growing woods, that it could neither move forwards or backwards. Search was made for it in all directions, without receiving the slightest tidings of its whereabouts, until Thursday, the 5th instant, when it was discovered in that position, by a person shooting, within a few hundred yards of its destination. There the poor animal had remained for nine days and nights, exposed to the piercing bitterness of the frosts which prevailed during the, whole of that period, without food, water, or the slightest shelter. When found it was still alive, but in an extremely weak attenuated condition and had strength sufficient to walk to his stable but it has since died from inflammation produced by the introduction of food into an exhausted stomach.
Friday, Jan. 13, 1854
Publication: Newcastle Courant
On the day following another inquest was held before the same coroner, at the house of Mr. Richardson, farmer. West Cawledge Park, and by adjournment on the 25th, at the Willow Tree Inn, Alnwick, on the body of Robert Snaith, aged 13 years. Deceased was a Rolly Driver, in Shilbottle colliery, and on the morning of the 2nd, descended the pit as usual, and while following his regular employment, a stone about three tons weight fell from the roof of the mine partially upon him, breaking both his legs and one of his arms, and otherwise mutilating his body. He was immediately extricated, brought to bank, and medical assistance procured; but he was so severely injured that he died in a few hours.
Verdict, "Accidental Death."
Friday, Feb. 1, 1856
Publication: Alnwick Mercury
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| 1858 Post Office Directory William Holmes |
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| 1861 OS Map |
Fatal Accident at Alnwick
Mr. Thomas McLane, farmer, of Snipe House, near Alnwick, met with a fatal accident on Monday evening. He appears to have been in au excitable state ; and after leaving Alnwick he had gone both to the Royal Oak and Willow Tree Inns, at a short distance from Alnwick ; but got no more drink. He returned to Alnwick, and was riding on a high-mettled young mare through the streets in so violent a manner, that people were brought out of their shops and houses to look after him; and at last, when galloping along Bondgate Street, his horse fell just as it had got out of the archway of Bondgate Tower, throwing him with great violence over its head. He fell on his face and dislocated his neck, which caused almost instantaneous death.
Wednesday, Mar. 25, 1863 Publication: Newcastle Journal
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| 1861 Census William Holmes (Victualler) |
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| Alnwick Mercury Friday, Nov. 1, 1861 |
William Holmes died later that decade, on 20th June 1865, aged 75 years and that was the end of the inn. The property reverted to residential use and was referred to as Willow Tree Cottages thereafter on public records. Eventually the cottages were demolished to make way for new development, and the site has been occupied by a service station since 1983.
Final reference to the Inn was made in the below press article from 1891.
The Licensed Victuallers and The Publicans of Alnwick and district have recently formed themselves into an association for the better protection as well as promotion of their interests as a trading community. Perhaps the time has arrived when they feel it necessary they should do so, for it is apparent that the publicans' business in the ducal town is not near so lucrative as it was formerly. There are many causes to account for this ; but one point is obvious, people nowadays have not so much idle time to while away in a public-house, nor have they as much money at command. A retrospect of the last quarter of a century shows that more than half of the public-houses in Alnwick existing during this period have been closed, and are now the private residences of respectable townspeople. As it may be interesting to some of our readers, we will commemorate those fully-licensed inns which have been closed during the past twenty years. Canongate Street: Black Horse, Stag Inn, Crown and Globe. Bailiffgate Street: Red Lion. Narrowgate Street: Alnwick Castle Inn, Half Moon Inn. Pottergate Street: Ship Inn. Paike Street: Shakespeare Tavern. Bondgate Street (North Side): Northumberland Arms, Post Boy. Bondgate Street (South Side —from the Tower): Masons' Arms, Cattle Market Tavern, Cross Keys, King's Arms. Corn Market: George and Dragon. Clayport Street (South Side): William IV., Pack Horse. Clayport Street (North Side): Clayport Tower Inn, Anchor Inn. Green Batt: Queen's Head Hotel (now the site of the police barracks.) South Road: Royal Oak, Willow Tree.
There have also been several beer shops closed. Thirty-one public-houses are still licensed in Alnwick (including the Bee Hive in the Market Place, which has been shut up for several years, and the Pickwick Inn —formerly a brewery —in Roxburgh Place, which has been wanting a tenant since November last.) It, however, cannot be said that temperance has made any great incur upon the publicans' trade in Alnwick, if we take a similar retrospective view. Sixteen and seventeen years ago, Good Templarism flourished in Alnwick—like all novelties—there being three distinct lodges of the brotherhood, and upwards of 600 members. Now there only exists one lodge, the youngest of the three, which has had a very fitful life, but is now, we understand, in more improved circumstances than it has been for several years. There is a mighty lot can be said, for and against the liquor traffic. In our opinion prohibitory measures have a far more demoralising effect than a free unlimited sale.
Saturday, Mar. 21, 1891 Morpeth Herald
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| 1897 OS Map |
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