Many thanks to, Rose at the Talbot for this photo, taken from their 40 years celebration board.

Yet another view of the talbot, this time with a horse drawn carriage. On the right you can just see the steps that were there for aiding horse riders to mount and dismount.

I found the following written by Ken Beckett.

"The Talbot Hotel at Knightwick, dates back to the 14th century. It was built by the monks of Worcester-Cathedral, we think as an Inn, because it is by the ford in the river, but we do not know.

There are also records that Queen Adelaide used it as a holiday resort, and gave he name to the hill behind, which is called Ankerdine Hill.

In 1690, the Inn belonged to a Mr Littletonclent, who also owned the farm behind, called Ankerdine Farm, a Mr Myrike then rented the Talbot from him.

In 1701, Mr Littletonclent died and a Mrs Grace Letty and Ms. Dorothy Lane bought the Talbot, (we do not know if the farm was included or not), Both these people have a memorial in Knightwick Church, which is about a mile from the Talbot. Dorothy Lane had a cousin called Jane Lane, who was reputed to have helped King Charles II to flee to France and that King Charles spent the night at the Talbot disguised as a servant.

In 1807 it was bought by Mr John Freeman of the Gains and in I877 it was rented to James Vernalls, who paid £210 a year for the Talbot and 46 acres of land.
In 1893 Sarah Browning was the tenant for £237 a year.
In 1901 it was sold to Mr T. Lawson Walker, (this time the farm was included and is still
in the possession of the Walker family) Mr Lawson Walker later sold it to Courage Brewery.
One of the landlords was a Mr Bielecki (pronounced Baleski).

In 1969 Courage sold it as a Free House to Wing Commander Hiams, who in turn sold it in 1972, to Mr and Mrs Beckett.

The brochure states that it is in excellent walking country within reach of three hunting packs, has private fishing, squash courts and a skittle alley for the active. But most of all at offers a hearty welcome to all who visit it."

 

 

 ©peh