Wadesmill Pubs
The Anchor Pub Wadesmill
The Anchor is yet another ancient building, probably late 16th century.
Nothing is recorded of it being an Inn until 1765, when it was listed in a billeting return as having stabling for one horse.
In 1834 the owner, William Pratchett of Hertford (a maltster), mortgaged it to a John Phillips, a brewer from Royston, who foreclosed two years later.
Incidentally, the name 'Anchor' has no connection with boats! -- an 'anker' was an ancient measure of liquor which contained about eight Imperial gallons.
This picture shows that there was a rather large addition made to the south side of original at some time!
Recently taken over by new owners 'Marstons' and has been through a major refurbishment program.
Manager(s): Emma Wales / Chris Wales
Telephone: 01920 462861
Email: anchor.ware@marstons.co.uk
The Feathers Wadesmill
The "Feathers" is another ancient building, but is better documented being in the ownership of the Youngsbury estate for many years. In 1615 when it was purchased by Ralph Osbaston and it was referred to as "The Princes Arms", but no mention of a previous name. Before that is had been owned by a blacksmith and a tanner, so may not have been an Inn previously. Ralph's son changed the name to the "Feathers" before 1670. In 1699 there is a note in the Ware parish burial register that there was a "great fire at the Feathers" in that year. In 1753 a Joseph Meeres acquired the Inn and in a print at the British Museum it is shown as a plaster building with a gallows sign across the road with a small board on which is painted "I.M. 1758". The building appears to be about half its present size, which is most likely to be the rear of the present house.
When Meeres leased the "Feathers" to a John Taylor in 1782, it was stipulated that Taylor must not take "more than four butts of common brewers beer in any one year", must buy all strong beer and ale from Meeres at 1s. 1d a gallon and all spirits at prices that Meeres had paid for them.
10 years later a lease taken, when owned by David Barclay, mentions five bedrooms, a step parlour, passage parlour, moon parlour, lion parlour and other rooms with fittings. Rumour had it that there was stabling for 100 horses, but although it was obviously a busy coaching Inn, this number has been exaggerated over the centuries.
Caution:- reputed to be haunted by a young girl!
Feathers website