[Retlaw]

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

But that's just it, Walter. I have alway's understood the term 'Coaching Inn' to refer to an Inn which offered a regular coach service by some timetable (however loose). I have no doubt that the country gentry would have used the pub as a stop over, but until we can see documentary evidence that this was used as a regular route stop by a public coach service, then I can't see how this can be referred to as a Coaching Inn.

But you've probably got it right about the number of tax paying families and those brewing their own ale. 'Small Ale' was the stuff that people drank in place of water - certainly before coffee and tea - but not everyone brewed it - many bought it. I suspect the Bull - a pub I hold dearly - would have had a multi-function 400 years ago, of which feeding passing horses and their cargo was only a small part

Ee tharard wurk.
There were 3 ways into the Old Hold of Accrington in those days, which was used by travelers. From Burnley, down what later became Burnley Rd Circa 1828, from Whalley along what was later Whalley Rd, (built by Blind Jack o Knaresborough 1791/2) that route went down Milnshaw Lane, the other route came from Blackburn, and entered Accy along Allom Lane which came out facing the Bull.
Just because there weren't many regular coach services running into & out of Accy in those day, does'nt they couldn't up their prestige by advertising themselves as a coaching Inn.
Its surprising how many people moved round the country in those days.
Retlaw.