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The great British pub is at the heart of any community. A chance for locals to get together out of the confines of their own home, have a drink and
discuss the latest topics.
A simple search for pubs in Potters Bar today brings up 12 matches, with 22,000 residents that means there is around 1,833 people for every pub
in Potters Bar! Compare that to the 16th century when there were two inns serving the small and scattered hamlet that was Potters Bar.
There is reference in the 16th century to two inns in the area of Potters Bar, The Swan With Two Necks and The Green Man. |  |
The latter still exists today at the north end of the High Street although it has been modified over the years. The first mention of the Green Man
is in 1672, making it the oldest surviving inn in the Potters Bar area. How many pints have been consumed on that site over the years? The mind boggles!
The former stood near to the junction of the High Street and Mutton Lane where the Canada Life building is now situated. The pub was later renamed
The Bull. The pub was relocated to the opposite side of the road in 1760 and renamed the White Horse. This is where it stands today as the Cask & Stillage.
The passing trade through Potters Bar brought by the Great North Road had many impacts on the village. Although its position, roughly halfway between
the major staging posts of Barnet and Hatfield meant that drastic change would not come about, there is evidence in it's increasing inn numbers that the
village did attract some passing trade.
The Robin Hood and Little John, built in 1730 was the first of a number of inns to be built along the major northern route, although I say the first
to be built I have to emphasise the point that, according to the records I have access to, it would be another 31 years before the next inn was opened!
The pub latter dropped its name to be known as "The Robin Hood" and was situated on the site which is now occupied by Lantern House (formally MFI)
The Lion on the corner of Southgate Road and Barnet Road was formed from two cottages in 1761. It was known to be the Red Lion around 1880 however
it soon reverted to its orional name.
A pub known as the Red Lyon was located in the pasture field near to Morvern Park around 1765. The Red Lyon was served by the former route of the Great
North Road This pub served a cluster of premises to the very northern point of the High Street, The opening of the Hatfield Road
in 1802 and the closure of the road serving the pub led to its demise and it is believed to have closed in circa 1856. |
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The Duke of York was "re-built" at Ganwick Corner in 1785 and was briefly known as the White Horse. A pub of sorts must have existed on this site prior to 1785 but as yet I am yet to find any records relating to this building.
The brewery trade did not simply exist in Potters Bar as pubs and inns. A small brewary was once situated at the junction of Coopers Lane and The Causeway, this was later converted into Chace House. Chase House now serves as
two seperate premises, an outbuilding still exists to the rear of Chace House which once served as a coach house to the brewary. Could this have once served the inns
of Potters Bar?
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