The Collyweston Slater was originally a 17th century coaching inn called the Slaters Arms. It was renamed the Cavalier in 1973 for a period, before reverting to a name similar to its original. The adjoining row of six stone cottages were incorporated into the pub at some point in the 20th century.

It is now a fairly large pub with a varied layout inside, an Everards pub serving a nice drop of Moorhouse Pride of Pendle when visited.

 

Many people are not aware that Collyweston once consisted of 5 pubs in the village and 2 brew houses. Here are the details of the past pubs in Collyweston.

​

Prior to the turn of the century there were five ale-houses in the village, serving a population of 361. Evidently Collyweston had become a hard drinking parish.

​

The Swan and Blue Bell were the oldest ale-houses. The free standing signposts still exist. The Engine has, still intact, its porch complete with seats where many an hour was smoked and talked away by leisurely men. Public houses, usually the only community centres apart from the church, were open all day from 6.00am to 10.00pm. They have all now disappeared and are private residences, except the seventeenth century slaters Arms.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Blue Bell (l) and the Engine Inn (r)

By 1940 it had three pubs – The Engine, Blue Bell and Slaters Arms (Now Collyweston Slater), only the latter having survived into the 21st century. The closed pubs of Collyweston are:

​

Blue Bell (Bell) – Early C17. Now Blue Bell House. Used as a first aid station during World War Two.

​

Corner Inn (Cross Keys) – 17th century house that was a pub for a short time in the late 19th, early 20th century and may have also been called Cross Keys. Also the post office for a time. Now called Corner House, no.15 High St.

 

Engine – Early 17th century inn with open fireplaces. Named after a traction engine used in farming. Known as a ‘Tom and Jerry’ beer house.

​

White Swan Inn (the Talbot?) – Early 18th century, now Swan Farm, Back Lane. In the 19th century Elizabeth Freeman was a landlady at the White Swan for over 50 years. She had previously resided at the Bull and Swan, Stamford where she served Dick turpin a quart of ale at the door:

He heartily drank of the ale and putting his silver tankard in his pocket, galloped off on his favourite mare Black Bess to the wonder and vexation of the landlord

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On a plan of the village in the 19th century, two brew houses are shown (were at no. 29/30 and 35, since renumbered).

​