[Atarah]

The old Red Lion coaching inn on Abbey Street was the second public house with this name, the original being on Grange Lane (but where?). In 1815 the first stage coach passed through Accrington from Manchester to Clitheroe. The coach would halt at the Red Lion's doorway, passengers would alight and go inside for refreshment. The horses would have to be changed, around the back of the premises we assume. At the side of the building is a semi-circular bay, (recently mentioned in a thread) extending to two floors. It overlooks the approach to the stables, and maybe this is where travellers watched the horses being changed whilst they rested and had some food. When they were ready, the guard would sound the horn, and the passengers would return to the coach and continue on their way. By 1845 there were seven coaches calling at Accrington – they were named, The Perseverance, The Trafalgar, The Shuttle, The Invincible, The Wonder, The William IV and The Royal Mail. By this time, coaches also went from Blackburn and Manchester, Preston and Burnley, Skipton to Manchester and Halifax to Blackpool.

The "red lion" was the arms of the De-Lacy family, the ancient lords of Accrington and Clitheroe. It still has its original round headed doorway.

Maybe not many of you have been behind these very old premises, but it is rather interesting. The second photograph shows a view looking towards the top part of Grange Lane. Can you see the old rounded stone wall to the right of the piccy. Wonder what this once surrounded? There once were cottages towards the end of it, nearest to Wellington Street, which you gained access to by going down steps i.e. cottages were below our road level. The large building in the "centre" of the piccy was once Henry Slack's, they dealt in tin, iron and copper. It once had a SKATING RINK on its upper floor at the beginning of the 1900's. The area in the foreground, where you can see a few cars and a van, was where The Wesley Chapel used to stand (rear of). (Also behind the rear of the pub was a huge bowling green, which I believe must be the area now covered by trees and shrubs).

I find the third photograph rather interesting, because … I don’t know what it is showing – looks like an old cobbled type of roadway (Its certainly very old, that’s for sure). Any suggestions?