Bear Inn, Stafford,

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Date:1950 - 1955 (c.)

Description:The seventeenth century Bear Inn on Greengate Street was built on the site of the Old Black Bear Inn; it is possible some of the old building was used in the structure of the present.

In the eighteenth century the inn was known as the White Bear and was one of four coaching inns in Stafford, the other three being The Star and The George on Market Square, and The Swan (opposite The Bear). Only The Bear and The Swan survive to this day.

The inn's sign, a large carved wooden bear, is associated with the Beresford family; their crest featured a rampant black bear. The bear no longer stands on its hind legs as this made it vulnerable to strong winds.

The shop on the right was formerly the Jolly Bacchus public house. The building is now a tobacconists and sweet shop, and the bay window can still be seen.


Timeline

The timeline shows resources around this location over a number of years.

1780s
Ancient High House, Stafford,
Ancient High House, Stafford,

The High House was built on Greengate Street by Richard Dorrington in 1595. The ...

1850s
Martin Street, Stafford,
Martin Street, Stafford,

Watercolour painting by Great Haywood born sculptor and artist Samuel Peploe Wood ...

1870s
William Marson and Magic Lanterns, Stafford,
William Marson and Magic Lanterns, Stafford,

William Albert Marson held public magic lantern shows featuring his 'dissolving ...

1890s
St. Mary's Passage, Stafford,
St. Mary's Passage, Stafford,

Photograph donated by Stafford Historical and Civic Society, who retain copyright ...

1910s
Sir Walter Essex MP in a Horse-drawn Carriage, Stafford,
Sir Walter Essex MP in a Horse-drawn Carriage, Stafford,

Sir Walter Essex was the Liberal M.P. for Stafford 1910 - 1918. He is accompanied ...

1930s
Portrait of Philip Dale, Stafford,
Portrait of Philip Dale, Stafford,

Mr Philip Dale was the proprietor of Dale's, the ironmongers shop on Greengate Street. ...

1960s
Greengate Street, Stafford
Greengate Street, Stafford

1980s
Cycle road race in Stafford,
Cycle road race in Stafford,

Cyclist M. Downs being interviewed outside the Swan Hotel in Greengate Street before ...

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Image courtesy of: William Salt Library

Donor ref:William Salt Library No., 20K, img: 845 (18/1362)

Source: Staffordshire Museum Service

Copyright information: Copyrights to all resources are retained by the individual rights holders. They have kindly made their collections available for non-commercial private study & educational use. Re-distribution of resources in any form is only permitted subject to strict adherence to the usage guidelines.