Public Houses (2) Penzance

This is not a guide to places to stay, eat or drink!

Penzance

One of the problems that will be observed with the location of Penzance Public Houses and Hotels is not that the buildings kept moving but that the names of the streets changed.

• Abbey Hotel Abbey Slip c1980— Michael Cox & Jean Shrimpton. On the site of a C12 abbey (the garden survives), the house dates from 1660. More recently it was a rest home for elderly ladies.
• Admiral Benbow Chapel Street (Benbow lived 1650–1702 and was a national hero, but not a Cornishman. There is a smuggler’s lookout on the roof). 1976 Mr. Morris (“over 400 years old, an authentic Cornish beer house”). 1978 (“recently licenced”). (now a restaurant)
• Albert Tavern 1 East Terrace, Market Jew Street. 1873 Thomas James. Albert Vaults 1883 Christopher Ellis. 3 East Terrace 1891 & 1893 Charles Frederick Truscott. The address seems to be interchangable with the “One and All” but both existed at the same time.
• Alexandra Private Hotel This was named, or at least the road was, after Queen Alexandra, wife of Edward VII and daughter of King Christian IX Denmark). 1947. 1955. 1963. Alexandra Inn Alexandra Road. 1978. 2000.
• Anchor Coinage Hall Street. 1856 John Olver/Oliver.
• Anchor & Hope Alverton Street. 1856 William Birch. (this was a home-brew pub in 1876 “occupied by Edgcumbe”). (gone in 1978)
• Bath Inn Cornwall Terrace, Promenade (Named after the salt water spa which opened in 1810). 1955 Arthur Wheeler (“late Wolverhampton”). Old Bath Inn 1999–2000.
• Belle Vue Private Hotel Regent Terrace. 1955. 1963.
• Betty’s Inn Neddy Betty’s Lane, later Albert Street off Market Jew Street. Before 1825 Edward Betty. Thatched. “At this house the corporation in former times occasionally refreshed themselves.” (Courtney 1878).
• Blue Bell. Causewayhead in the building which later became Thomes fruit shop [thanks to Terence Pollard].
• British Grenadier Market Jew Street. 1856 James Vine.
• Bunch of Grapes Causewayhead. 1873 Mrs. E. Williams (in 1891, Emma Williams is a retired innkeeper at 10, High street). 7 North Street 1883 Benjamin Libby. Clarence 1891 & 1893 William Julian. 1908 Clarence Hotel closed under Licensing Acts (Saundry 1931).
• Carlton Private Hotel Esplanade. 1947. 1955. Carlton Hotel Promenade. 1963.
• Carrier’s Arms.
• Castle Hotel 1891 Thomas Brennan. 1927 closed under Licensing Acts (Saundry 1931).
• Central Hotel Market Jew Street. 1919 John Harding. 1928 J. S. Richards
• Mrs. Chappell, Temperance Hotel and Boarding-House 51, Market Jew Street. 1897.
• The “Clifton” Temperance Hotel Market Jew Street. 1897 Mrs. Mowat.
• Coachsmith’s Arms.
• Commins’ House “In August 1783 John Commins, a Penzance brazier, plumber and tin-man, declared the opening of his house in the centre of the town ‘for the reception of the nobility and gentlemen in general’ he had erected ‘a convenient bathing machine’ ” (Douch 1966). Common’s Hotel Market Place. Kevill’s Hotel Before 1801 Mary Kevill (see Ship & Castle) “At the west side stood what was at one time Common’s Hotel, the hotel of the town; but before my coming to Penzance [in 1825] it had been converted into two shops. There was a level platform in front of this building, terminating towards Chapel Street in a flight of steps: on this platform the gentlemen and tradesmen of the town used to meet and discuss the news. While occupied as the hotel, the band of the old volunteer corps played in front of it. At one time this was the mansion of the Tremenheeres” (Courtney 1878).
• Cornish Arms East Street. 1823 Nic. Richards. Market Jew Street. 1830 Nicholas Richards. East Street. 1844 Henry James. 1856 William Fox. Fifteen Balls 45 Market Jew Street. 1873 J. H. Seccombe. 1883 Thomas Henry Woods. Cornish Arms 1891 William H. Eddy. 1893 & 1919 Mrs. Elizabeth Eddy. 1947 Mr. & Mrs. J. A. Ward.
• Crown & Cushion. 1772 John Carter.
• Dingley’s Private & Family Hotel Beachfield House, Esplanade. 1873 Mrs. Eliza Dingley. 1883 Miss Mary Dingley, Beachfield House 1897. Beachfield Private Hotel Promenade. 1963.
• Dock 9 Jennings St. 1891 Joseph Uren.
• Dock Inn 17 Quay Street. 1891 Elizabeth Jane Sampson. 1893 George Martin. 1919 George Reardon. 1999–2000.
• Dolphin Quay (This is a C17^th. building where Hawkins made his headquarters while he trained the Cornish volunteers for battle against the Spanish. Courts were held here until the C19^th..There is a smuggler’s secret room in roof of this inn. In 1802 it was one of the first houses to have a billiard table). Kept for many years until Feb. 1814 by William Treluddra who was succeeded by William Holmes, a shipwright.1823 Rd. Holmes. Quay Street. 1830 Richard Holmes. Quay. 1844 & 1856 William Pascoe. Old Quay 1873 Edward Chirgwin. Dolphin Tavern 14 Quay Street. 1883 John Thomas Bray. Dolphin Inn 1891 & 1893 James Tyacke. Dolphin Hotel 1919 Ethan Ball. Dolphin Tavern/Inn 1978. 1999–2000.
• Duke of Cumberland North Street. Built c1822. 1823 Wm. James. Duke of Northumberland (I think this may be a misprint) 1830 William James. Duke of Cumberland 1844 John Pollard. 1856 William Matthews. 70 Causeway Head. 1873, 1883, 1891 & 1893 John Hutchens. 1919 Alfred Frost. 1930–1940s Mr. Elis.
• Eagle Inn 1 Alverton Street. 1864 John French.
• Estoril Private Hotel Morrab Road. 1963.
• Exeter Inn Causewayhead. 1836 John Thomas—briefly renamed Royal Mermaid Hotel.
• Farmer’s Arms North Street. 1823 & 1830 William Trythal. 1844 Anthony Jeffery. 1856 Mrs. Esther Curnow. 38 Causeway Head. 1872 John Hutchens left (see The Wellington, St. Just) 1873 & 1883 Jacob Curnow Weymouth Corin. 1891 & 1893 John Mi(t)chell. 1919 Wm. Griffiths. c1945 Ernest Eathorne. 2000.
• Fire Engine Green Market. “On the south side stands the one house which has not changed since 1825,—the Commercial, formerly the Fire Engine Inn. This inn was not called after the engine employed to put out fires, but after the steam engines used in mines, which were at first commonly called fire engines” (Courtney 1878). 1823 Eliz. Bodily. 1830 Dinah Bodilly. 1844 Richd. Bodilly. Engine Inn 1856 Richard Bodilly. Commercial Hotel 1873, 1883 & 1891 John French. White Lion 1893 & 1919 Pool & Son. (also wholesalers—see also Union Inn, Newlyn). Market Place. 1999.
• First & Last 24 Alverton Street. 1873 Samuel Young Dale. 1883 & 1891 Richard Pryor. 1893 James Terrill. First & Last Inn 2000?
• Flanagans Station. 1999.
• Fountain North Street. 1837 Simon Chellew. 1844 William Wills. 1856 Thomas White. Fountain Tavern St. Clare Street. 1873 James Glasson. 1883, 1891 & 1893 William Henry Trevena. 1919 Mrs. Elizabeth Wills.
• Four Alls. Early C19^th. “the sign, painted by Mr. Richard Coulson, represented four figures—The King – I govern all: The Parson – I pray for all: The Soldier – I fight for all, and John Bull – I pay for all” (Douch 1966).
• Garland Ox. Licence renewal refused to Michael Donnithorne in Sept. 1869.
• Globe Queen Street. “The Globe Inn at the corner of this square and New Road, a very old licensed house, had at the beginning of this century railings at the front and side” (Courtney 1878). 1830 William Cock. Chapel Street. 1844 Martin Williams. Queen’s Square 1856 John Wallish. 1873 Charles Rusden. Globe Family & Commercial Hotel Market Place. 1883 John Michell Martin. Globe Hotel 1 Queen Street. 1893 David Eddy. Globe & Ale House 1999–2000.
• Godolphin Arms West End (Godolphin was the family name of the Duke of Leeds). 1978. 2000.
• Golden Lion East Street. 1823 Geo. Hemmings. 34 Market Place. 1830 Jane Hemmings. 1844 Jane Pascoe. 1856 William Wills. Golden Lion Hotel 1873 Frederick Wright Jasper (retired to 8 Clarence Street by 1891). 1883 F. C. Richardson. 1887 converted to an outfitters shop (Saundry 1931) [and presumably rebuilt at the new address]. 21 Causeway Head 1891 Francis C. Richardson (caretaker of unnamed hotel). Golden Lion 68 Causeway Head. 1891 & 1893 William Roberts Pengelly. 1919 Mrs. Annie Martin. 1927 closed under Licensing Acts (Saundry 1931). (Douch 1966) reports that this was originally called The Old House at Home and wasn’t renamed to the Golden Lion until rebuilding in 1887 but the directories do not support this.
• Horse & Jockey Queen Street. 1856 Thomas Hare.
• Inkerman.
• James’ Riviera Restaurant & Commercial Hotel Green Market. 1919 R. James. Riviera 1999.
• Jubilee Inn 41 Market Jew Street 1891 Frank Bosley.
• Jug and Pipe.
• Keigwin Hotel Alexandra Road. 2000.
• Kimberley House, Residence and Board-Residence Morrab Road. 1897 Mrs. Mann.
• King Edward VII 1912 Beerhouse closed under Licensing Acts (Saundry 1931).
• King’s Head. This was “an old Penzance house at which many of the borough celebrations were given. A tradesman’s Friendly Society was formed there as early as 1768. This had 101 members all living within three miles of the town; members met on the first Monday of each month at The King’s Head, then kept by Richard Runnalls who remained landlord until his death in 1778. He was succeeded by Robert Colenso who stayed there thirty Years.” (Douch 1966). 1793–98 Robert Colensoe.
• Lamp & Whistle Leskinnick Place. 2000.
• London Inn North Street. “The London Inn and the houses as far as the ‘Duke of Cumberland’ were only erected about 1820–1822; they were built on an old garden bounded towards the street by a thorn hedge, and on the site of a ruined building called by the neighbours ‘the castle.’ The London Inn was in 1825 kept by Mr. Stephen Weaver, who was also a teacher of music and dancing, a dealer in music and musical instruments, was licensed to let out post horses, and contractor for conveying prisoners to Bodmin.” (Courtney 1878). 1793–98 Alexander Gardner. 1823 Saml. Weaver. Church Street. 1830 Nicholas Uren. North Street. 1844 William Rowe. 1856 John Curnow. 75 Causeway Head. 1873 & 1883 William Matthews. 1891 & 1893 Benjamin Chas. Matthews. 1919 Henry Stanley Uren. 1999.
• Lugger Hotel & Restaurant Promenade. 1999.
• Mann’s Private Hotel Alexandra Terrace. 1919 William Mann.
• Marine Hotel Promenade. 1947. 1963.
• Marine Park Hotel Morrab Park. 1963.
• Mariner’s Inn.
• Market Inn 1927 closed under Licensing Acts (Saundry 1931).
• Market Tavern. Sir Humphry Davy Market Place. 1999. 32 Alverton Street. 2000.
• May’s Temperance Hotel & Boarding House 51 Market Jew Street from 1878. 1893 May, 70 Market Jew Street 1897 Mrs. R. May..
• St. Michael’s Private Hotel Morrab Road. 1963.
• Miner’s Arms Church Street. 1830 Richerd Miners.
• Mount’s Bay & Western Hotel Clarence Street. 1826 Western Hotel built (Saundry 1931). “The Western Hotel was the first house built, the other part of the street was not completed for more than twenty years after” (Courtney 1878). 1830 Nicholas Henwood. 1839 James Farquharson left to go to the Red Lion in Truro. 1844 Ann Down. Western Hotel 1856 Henry Blackwell. Western & Mount’s Bay Family & Commercial Hotel & Posting House 1883 William Mitchell. Western & Mount’s Bay Hotel 1891, 1893, 1896, 1897 William Mitchell. Western Family & Commercial Hotel 1919 Henry Champion. Western Hotel 1928 N. Champion. 1947. Alverton Street 1963.
• Mount’s Bay House Esplanade. 1873 & 1874 Edward Lavin. 1883 Mrs. Georgiana Lavin. Mount’s Bay Hotel 1893, 1897 Charles Ball, 1919 Pool & Son (see also White Lion). 1928. Mount’s Bay Inn Promenade. 1963. 1999–2000.
• Navy Inn Queen Street. 1999–2000.
• New Inn Quay Street. 1823 John Phillips. 1830 William Matthews Charles. Quay. 1844 Edward Stevens. 1856 Mrs. Ann Stevens. 1873 Ferdinand Scorza. 1883 John Thomas Rule.
• Old Golden Lion Lower Market Street. 1883 William Hodge.
• Old Smithy Inn 3 Parade Street. 1999–2000.
• One and All Inn 3 East Terrace, Market Jew Street. 1856 Joseph Friggen. 1873 William Friggins (see “William IV”, Madron). 1 East Terrace 1891 William Floyd. 2000.
• Park Inn 5 parade Street. 1891 Fred Polkinthorn. Demolished 1981.
• Paul’s Mount’s Bay Temperance Hotel & Restaurant 34 & 35 The Terrace, Market Jew Street. 1891 William H. Paul. 1893 & 1896 Mrs. Paul (also grocer, baker & confectioner). Paul’s Commercial Hotel 1897 Mrs. Paul.
• Perrow’s Hotel (Temperance) 54 & 55 Chapel Street. 1891 & 1893 John Perrow. 1897 J. Bray. Regent Hotel 1919 Robert Thomas. 1928. 1963. 1999.
• Peruvian Arms Mount Street. 1999–2000.
• Pirate Inn Alverton Road (used to be a tanner’s house, next to the tannery). 1978. 2000.
• Prince of Wales East Street. 1823 J. Edwards. Market Jew Street. 1830 John Bamfield. East Street. 1844 David Eddy Stevens. 109 Market Jew Street. 1856 Thomas Geach. 1873 J. Harvey. 1883 Eli Winter. 1893 Nicholas Mulcahy. 1919 John Uren.
• Queen’s Head 7 New Street (this pub had its own brewery in 1870). 1823 Wm. Sleep. 1830 William Hawke. 1844 Nicholas Pascoe. 1873 Richard Allen. 1893 James Hicks. 1907 closed under Licensing Acts (Saundry 1931).
• Queen’s Family Hotel & Posting House Esplanade (Named to commemorate the visit by the Queen of Holland). “1861 Queen’s Hotel built [presumably with a different name]. Enlarged 1871 and 1908” (Saundry 1931).1873 & 1874 Henry Blackwell (“recently greatly enlarged”). 1883 Alexander Hansard Hora. 1893 & 1896 Mrs. Emily Agnes Permewan. Queen’s Hotel 1897 Mrs. Emily Agnes Permewan, 1912. 1919 Edmund A. Saunders. 1928. 1947. Promenade. 1963. 1978. 1999–2000.
• Railway Terminus Family & Commercial Hotel & Posting House 55 Market Jew Street. 1856 & 1873 Alexander Rowe. 1883 Stephens & Co. Railway Hotel 1891 Jonathan Stephens. 1893 Mrs. Maria Priske (Mgr.), 1897 E. Church, 1919 Mrs. Mary Rolleston. 1976 (“over 200 years old”). Longboat Inn 1978. 1999.
• Railway Inn 1891 William Prisk. This existed at the same time as the hotel above so there may be some confusion with the names.
• Riviera Palace Hotel. 1906 First licenced, enlarged 1908, closed 1917 (Saundry 1931). 1912 (“in connection with the Queen’s Hotel”).
• Royal Oak North Street. 1823 Jane Hawkin. Church Street. 1830 Jane Hawken.
• Royale Hotel The Cliff. 1963.
• Seven Stars South Parade Street (the name of this inn refers to the seven sorrows of Our Lady). 1830 William Hotton Williamson. Parade Street. 1844 William Hendy. 1856 Peter Roberts. 1883 Robert Williamson. Seven Stars Hotel 1893 Joseph Warren. Seven Stars Hotel 1919 Mrs. Ellen Bailey.
• Sheaf of Wheat Inn Chapel Street. 2000.
• Ship 21 Quay Street. 1823 & 1830 James Nicholas. 1844 Nicholas Paul. Ship Inn 1856 James Pool. 1883 John Bennetts. 1891 John Davis (there was another inn at 22 Quay street run by Robert Lashbrook). 1893 Edgar Wingate. 1910 closed under Licensing Acts (Saundry 1931).
• Ship & Castle Chapel Street. “Samuel Bennetts presided here for some twenty-five years until in December 1771 it was taken by James Harrison from The Queen’s Head in Marazion. Harrison was replaced in March 1775 by John Stone who entered with ‘beds entirely new’. Stone gave up through ill-health in March 1786. Francis Rogers from The White Hart in Plymouth took the house in June but Stone was back in again by 1792 and his widow Elizabeth in 1794. In March 1801 Mary Kevill moved from what had been Commins’ and then Kevill’s Hotel to the Ship and Castle which in future is to be distinguished by the name of The Union Hotel. The older name was then attached to other premises. In June 1789 ‘a convenient distance’ from the Ship and Castle in Penzance was another ‘most commodious bathing-house’ ” (Douch 1966). “1791 Assembly Room, Union Hotel, built by private subscription” (Saundry 1931). 1793–98 Elizabeth Stone. 1823 W. Pearce. “In 1825 the Union Hotel, originally the house of the Hitchens family, of Poltair, was the hotel of the town” (Courtney 1878). 1830 Clark. Union Commercial & Family Hotel 1844 & 1856 William Ball. Union Family & Commercial Hotel & Posting House 1883 Misses M. A. & M. Longhurst. Union Family Hotel 1891 & 1893 George Fowler 1897 Miss Holman. Fowler’s Union Hotel. Union Commercial & Family Hotel 1919 Miss A. Jago (Mgr.) Union Hotel 1928. 1947. 1963. 1999. Union & Western Hotels 2000. This inn has a minstral’s gallery from which was proclaimed the death of Lord Nelson, the first in England to hear the news.
• Ship & Castle East Street See above for an earlier premises of the same name. 1823 Rd. Oates. “There was another [balcony] at one time in Market-jew Street in front of the ‘Ship and Castle,’ but this had gone before I came to Penzance … In 1825 the Wesleyan Quarterly Meetings were held in this hotel, and the preachers often dined there.” (Courtney 1878). 1830 William Farquharson (see Three Tuns). 1844 Samuel Morris. 114 Market Jew Street. 1856 Miss. Mary Ann Morris. 1864 Christopher Martin. 1883 David Eddy. Castle Hotel 1893 Thomas Brennan. 1919 Ernest Jewell.
• Shoulder of Mutton Green Market. “At the north-west corner [in 1825] was the Shoulder of Mutton Inn, an extremely low thatched house … On some market-days the space at the west end was filled with earthenware, offered for sale by travelling dealers from the potteries; these men usually stopped at the ‘Shoulder of Mutton.’ ” (Courtney 1878). It adjoined the notorious prison of the Hundred of Connerton and was the inn favoured by the travelers in clone [clome?] and pottery wares (Douch 1966). 1823 & 1830 Alice Richards. Alverton Street. 1844 Thomas Richards.
• Sportsman Heamoor (Cock fights were held outside on the lawn in the early C19^th.). 1978. Sportsman’s Arms 1999
• Stanmore Private Hotel Alexandra Road. 1963.
• Talbert Hotel Clarence Street 2003 “The Hotel is part of a Georgian Terrace of houses which were originally built in 1830 by Harrods Investment Corporation as homes for the Merchant Sea Captains who sailed the world in search of exotic goods for Harrod’s discerning clientele. The original owner, Ralph Sheldon Kindly was lost at sea in his quest for such treasures.” [ Website].
• Star Hotel East Street. 1793–98 William Husband. 1823 Frs. Vigurs. Star 119 Market Jew Street. 1830 Wm. Hawes. East Street. 1844 & 1856 Thomas Pool. Star Hotel “A short distance up the street was the old portico or balcony of the Star Hotel, under which there were generally to be found two or three people gossiping: this balcony was removed about 1860 … A show or two frequently used to establish themselves opposite” (Courtney 1878). 1883 William Lawrey. 1891 & 1893 William Henry Tamblyn. Star Family & Commercial Hotel 1919 William Tamblyn. 1955 J. P. Wilson. 1963. Star Inn 1999–2000.
• Temperance Hotel Prince’s Street. 1844 Edward Thomas. In 1852, the first meetings of the School of Art were held here. 1864 Mrs. Matthews. 1891 Annie Matthews. Temperance House 1893 James Opie. Temperance Hotel 1919 Mrs. James Opie.
• Temperance Hotel 6 Albert Street. 1891 & 1893 Mrs. Jane Trewern.
• Temperance Hotel 4 Leskinnick Street. 1891 Mary Griffith. 1919 Mrs. Kate Sampson. These three all existed about the same time so there may be some confusion with the names.
• Three Tuns Green Market. 1823 Wm. Farquharson (see Ship & Castle). 1830 Eliz. Farquharson. “Next came the Three Tuns Inn, a long low house with a balcony over the entrance; this was torn down about 1831” (Courtney 1878). Three Tuns Commercial & Family Hotel 1844 & 1856 George Hemming(s). Three Tuns 1864 John C. James. 1867 discontinued (Saundry 1931).
• Tradesman’s Arms. Lost its licence in 1889 after having had five landlords in three years (Douch 1966).
• Trehurst Private Hotel Alexandra Road. 1947. 1955. This may be the same as the Treriss 1891 George Poole. All the houses in Alexandra Road were named in this census.
• Turks Head 48 Chapel Street (reputedly Penzance’s oldest pub). 1771 Mitchel (a concert was advertised in Sept. 1771 to be held in Michell’s Long Room behind the Turk’s Head). 1823 Thomas Holloway (father of founder of the Royal Holloway college for women in London). 1830 Robt. Hamilton. 1844 & 1856 Mrs. Sarah Just. 1883 Johnson Glanville. 1893 Henry Benson. 1919 Mrs. Ann Uren. Turks Head Inn 1955. 1978. 1999–2000.
• Two Tubs.
• Union Inn 1927 closed under Licensing Acts (Saundry 1931).
• Victoria Inn. Victoria Square, Bread Street 1891 Beer Shop, William H. Uren. Crown. 1999. Old Vic
• Victoria Inn. Market Jew Street Nicknamed The hole in the wall Closed Feb 1972, now a shop [Terence Pollard].
• Wellington.
• White Hart Inn 14 Mount Street 1891 Richard Nicks. 2000.
• Willows Private Hotel Cornwall Terrace. 1947.
• Winters Private Hotel 107, 109 & 110 Market Jew Street. 1891 Eli Winter. Before 1923 Winters sisters (Eveline, Clara, Maggie & Mabel). Cliff Hotel. 1923–36 William Richard Warren. 1936–63 Eliza Warren (widow of William). 1963— Mrs. Rodda (daughter of Eliza—all information from Stephen Rodda, her son). 1999 “run by the same Cornish family for over 75 years.”
• Yacht Inn Promenade, Green Street. 1963. 1999–2000.

In addition, the following are included in the 1793–1798 Universal British Directory without premises names either as innkeepers, taverners or victualers:— Richard Bramwell, Thomas Broad, John Heath, Henry Matthews, John Matthews, Joseph Mitchell, William Mitchell, Susanna Phillips, John Prian, James Reed, Sampson Reynolds, Nicholas Reynolds, Richard Videley & Thomas Vigurs.

In the 1891 census there is a William Friggens, retired publican in No. 3, Leskinnick Street. This is not the one from the “William IV” Madron who was still in residence but is possibly the one from the “One and All” above as they were different people. There is also a James Skewes, Licenced Victualler, Jamaica Place but the house is not identified.