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Ipswich Cross Keys
Ipswich Cross Keys
North East, 52.05746,1.15727
closed 1938
opened before 1650
22 Carr St
grid reference TM 165 446
It's shown on this OS town plan from about 1880 (larger map).
The Cross Keys was listed in the 1844 White's Suffolk Trades Directory with carriers operating from it to Colchester.
At one time, Carr street was called "Cross Keys Street", named after the pub, presumably.
The original building was extensively rebuilt when the street was widened (about 1887-88) to allow trams to pass.
It is listed as 28/26 Carr Street in the 1909 Rates book.
One of several pubs in the town that used to host cock-fighting in eighteenth and early nineteenth century. This bloody spectacle could last several hours and was eventually banned in 1835. A one time it was particularly popular as a form of gambling and bouts were often held during festival days and during the Ipswich horse racing week.
Today the building is used as British Heart Foundation shop.
Gallery
Historical interest
To be lett, and enter'd into immediately, the Cross-Keys Inn, in Cross-keys street, Ipswich. A well accustom'd House with a Brewhouse, Cellars, Good Stables, Water and other suitable Conveniences; where may be bought Coppers, Coolers and all other Utensils for Brewing of five Combs at a Time, ready fixed; with the Stock of Beer, Household Goods, of the late Tenant, deceased…
Landlords
(Most pub, location & historic details collated by Nigel, Tony or Keith - original sources are credited)
(** historic newspaper information from Stuart Ansell)
(*** historic newspaper information from Bob Mitchell)
Old OS map reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland.
