android appIpswich Lock Tavern
last updated Jan 9th, 2023.
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Ipswich Lock Tavern
also traded as Dock Tavern, Westgate's Commercial Hotel
North, 52.05027,1.15933
closed 11th September 1955
New Cut East
grid reference TM 167 438
The pub is shown on this OS town plan of 1883 (interactive map").
The former Lock Tavern was converted In to two flats and a house In the late 1950s, and subsequently demolished. Many thanks to Derrick Elliston who writes "I lived In The Ground Flat With My Parents. My Father Was A Boat Man For The Dock Commission."
According to the book "A Victorian Vision, the building of Ipswich Wet Dock", the Lock Tavern started out as Westgate's Commercial Hotel.
The name refers to the original lock which is visible on this map as an indentation on the New Cut West side, not the current one.
Gallery
Steamboat Tavern 0.08 mile
Silver Star 0.19 mile
Isaacs 0.19 mile
Briarbank 0.22 mile
Bin 93 0.23 mile
Lord Nelson 0.23 mileHistorical interest
The Dock Tavern name seems only to have been recorded in 1922. Perhaps this was an error?
Herbert Charles Westgate manager of the Lock Tavern gave evidence that William Cocker left the Lock just after 11pm. Cocker was accussed of malicious injury to property in that he feloniously cast off the steam tug "Era". Westgates evidence conflicted with the tug owners testimony causing sufficient doubt with jury who found him not guilty.Bury & Norwich Post, November 26th 1889** (when Herbert Charles Westgate was the landlord)
An advertisement placed in January 1895 in the Ipswich Journal reads: Passengers by steamboat will find cheerful fires, cosy rooms, good drinks, plenty of newspapers, and the best attention at Westgate's Lock Tavern and Hotel, (near the steamboat promenade…
Landlords
(Most pub, location & historic details collated by Nigel, Tony or Keith - original sources are credited)
Closure date from Ipswich licensing records.
(** historic newspaper information from Stuart Ansell)
(*** historic book information from Bob Mitchell)
Old OS map reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland.
