SLHS: Red Horse Hotel & Golden Lion Hotel

History

It is suggested that in the 16th century on the original site The Peacock Inn existed (ref M&S). However by the 18th century there were two separate coaching inns: a modern looking Red Horse Hotel to the left and The Golden Lion Hotel to the right. It has still not yet come to light where these names came from.

In 1851, listed by the Board of Health, there were 85 pubs in Stratford with 7 licensed premises in Bridge Street including The Red Horse. In 1874 and also in 1911 but several different names. Notable others are: The Anchor, The George and The Mulberry Tree.

The Grand Portico

This has quite a history. In 1862 in a great feat of engineering it was removed from the early Royal Shakespearian Theatre in Chapel Lane to the The Shakespeare Hotel in Chapel Street (see right).

SLHS Picture & Document Archives..

1. Picture Vaults: None at present

Bridge Street

● These items have aspects that uniquely contribute to national or world history.

Significant Guests

According to a plaque in M&S:

1. •In 1643 Prince Rupert (whom they describe as as “a dashing cavalier”) stayed for 3 days during the Civil War (presumably in The Peacock) escorting Queen Henrietta Maria (wife of Charles I).
   

2. •David Garrick was a regular guest. Particularly when he was directing the first Shakespeare Jubilee in September 1769.
   

3. •In 1846 Charles Dickens stayed.
   

The plaque goes on to say..

1. “Washington Irving was the first American author to gain international recognition as a “great writer”. He stayed at The Red Horse several times in 1815, 1821 and 1831. It was during his 1815 visit that he wrote part of his most famous work, “The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon”. Which includes a description of the Parlour of the Red Horse. The hotel became very popular with the Americans after the book was published and “Irvings Parlour” something of a shrine. Some of the artifacts Irving described in his book have survived until today and are on show in the store.”
   

Hotels Merged

In 1919 The Red Horse took over The Golden Lion -this merger made it the largest hotel in Stratford. Over a period of a year both were refurbished and the Grand Portico moved again to make their new entrance (left). To it a new pinnacle was added.

Bridge Street 1930

Original entrance

Entrance after 1919

Contribution To War Effort

During WWII the hotel was requisitioned by the RAF as they were working out of nearby Bearley and Wellesbourne airfields. After the war it underwent much reconstruction before it's reopening in 1951.

Washington Irving’s parlour

Modern Times

In 1980 the hotel was finally bought by Marks and Spencer for £1.1 million from Norfolk Capital Hotels. It was totally rebuilt (although as it was a Grade II listed building with the exception of the facade) taking Bovis Construction‘s 120 workers 18 months. The total cost, including land, was in excess of £5 million. The store opened on May 11th 1982. The portico and a clock were mentioned on Stratford Herald's front page.

Great thanks go to Councillor Muriel Pogmore (Mayor 1971-72) for ensuring the facade was retained. And also for the more discreet than normal MacDonalds sign opposite !

Wine Storage

It is my conjecture that one of these hotels, from information that I’ve been told most likely The Golden Lion, that used a tunnel under Bridge Street for storage of wine. This is currently being researched.

To return to Master page click on ‘Hotels’ above.