Home > Lancashire > Clitheroe > Brownlow Arms Brownlow Arms

Picture source: oldclitheroe.co.uk

The original inn on this site in the Market Place was built about mid 1500's. In 1775, after nearly 200 years as an inn, it was pulled down. At the time this pub was known as the White Bull, then soon after it became the Kings Head. Towards the end of the 18th century the name changed yet again to the Lister Arms because it had become the property of the Lister family. Then in 1809 the pub became the Brownlow Arms,  the first landlord being Jonathan Wilson. He kept it until he died at the age of 78, then a William Darnborough took over, followed by William West and then William Hothersall. From the day the Reform Act was passed the pub became the headquarters of the local branch of the Radical Party, the Swan & Royal became the headquarters for the Conservative Party. In those days the local elections were a very riotous affair. It was very much the norm for the losers trying to unseat the winners on the grounds of bribery and corruption. Another norm at election time in the Brownlow Arms was free beer for everybody! What a shame that today's politicians do not have the same idea. After a few 100 years the Brownlow Arms served its last pint in 1920 and was then demolished so that today's building,the Yorkshire Bank could be built.

Like many people at the moment I am researching my family and have just discovered my Great Uncle, Thomas Sutcliffe working as an Assistant Hotel Hostler for a Landlord called James Wilson in the 1911 census.

Samantha Eccles

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