Home > Herefordshire > Weobley > Unicorn Inn Unicorn Inn
Date of photo: 1997	Photo © Jo Turner
The Unicorn Inn was situated at 1 Hereford Road. This grade-II* listed 16th century farmhouse extended early 17th century with 18th century alterations. Formerly the Unicorn Inn and possibly The Throne Inn. Architect Andrew Thomas claims that the oldest part of the house is from 1478 but an inscription that was found in the fireplace says that the house was built in 1599. Although some of the stonework appears to be of medieval date it has been reused probably from the castle. King Charles I is supposed to have stayed here on 5th September 1645 when it was the Unicorn Inn. The name of the inn was reputedly changed to ‘The Throne’ in honour of his visit but the 1902 OS map still showed it as ‘The Unicorn’ although in a Gothic font suggesting it may be an historical reference. In high Street is Unicorn House previously the Unicorn Hotel and adjacent to it is the ‘New Unicorn Inn’, consequently confusion reigns in articles. The new Unicorn declares it was established in 1887 and on this basis, from directories, I find occupants here to be, 1835 Jane Lloyd, 1842-1868 Mrs Mary Ann Lloyd and 1885 William Watkins (& beer agent, assistant overseer, assessor & collector of taxes), all listed at the Unicorn. It seems likely therefore that it changed to ‘The Throne’ about 1887 when the New Unicorn was established and it became a private residence.
Source: Steve Turner
Listed building details:
Farmhouse. C16, extended early C17, with some late C18 alterations. Timber-frame with rendered infill on a coursed rubble plinth extended in brick and rendered brick under a tile roof. L-plan, cross-wing extending to east of C16, extended in C17, main range to south extended southwards in C18. Main stack axially placed at south end of C16 range. West front of two storeys with gabled cross-wing to left, formerly jettied, with a (-light casement to the first floor. Main range is continuously jettied with four windows, 2-light casements save that to left of centre which is of three lights. All have C18 decorative leaded lights. Ground floor has a (-light, 5-light and a 2-light casement. The 5-light window has plastered mullions and cinquefoiled heads with pierced spandrels. Door to right is of four panels. To right, C18 extension of one storey with attic lit by two gabled dormers above two C18 windows each of two cinquefoiled lights. A further brick range to the right has two segmentally headed windows. Framing: two square panels high to each floor with curved brackets to the jetty. The -gable of the cross-wing has carved bargeboards. The north wall of the cross-wing has curved tension braces. The east gable end has herringbone framing, as does a former porch on the back of the main range. This has a heavily carved bressummer.
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