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In the light of the government announcement of March 20th, all pubs are now closed until further notice.
Some of them may well still be offering a takeaway beer service and some others will also be selling food takeaways, perhaps even with delivery. If you can give any of our pubs some support through these terrible times by buying some takeaway food or drink, please do so. Our pubs need as much support of possible if they're going to still be there for us when the crisis is over.
Bawdsey Lifeboat
CAMRA Ipswich & East Suffolk branch.
last updated Feb 8th, 2020.
Something we've got wrong about this establishment? Something more you think we should know about it? Please email us
Bawdsey Lifeboat
also traded as Old Beach House
Closed 1920-1970.
opened 1810
Shingle St
grid reference TM 366 426
The 1904 Woodbridge licensing records show that the Lifeboat's license was issued in 1894. Whether this was when it was first licensed or when it got a full (ie not just beer) license isn't clear, though the latter seems more probable.
The pub was reportedly blown up during RAF bomb testing during WWII - possibly whilst experimenting with bouncing bombs. Indeed the Woodbridge licensing records say that the Lifeboat was "destroyed by war actions". There must have been some hope of rebuilding the pub, as the license was kept active until 1962, when it was finally relinquished…
Gallery
Other nearby Suffolk pubs
Shepherd & Dog 1.51 miles
Sorrel Horse 3.1 miles
Ramsholt Arms 3.8 miles
Ferry Boat Inn 4.0 miles
Plough 4.4 milesHistorical interest
To be sold by private contract that pleasant summer residence, known by the name of the Life Boat Inn, situated on the beach, in the parish of Bawdsey, at the entrance to Orford Haven. The premises being directly opposite Hollesley Bay, commanding a beautiful view of the German Ocean.Ipswich Journal, September 1815**
Met a violent end when Royal Air Force bombers used it for target practice and destroyed it in the early days of the war. It was a wooden building without any claims to architectural distinction, but for some 130 years this inn and its even more modest predecessor had given cheerful service to local people & visiting holidaymakers alike…
Landlords
(Most pub, location & historic details collated by Nigel, Tony or Keith - original sources are credited)
(some old PO directory information courtesy of londonpublichouse.com)
(** information from Stuart Ansell)
(*** historic book information from Bob Mitchell)
