Bury St Edmunds Saracen's Head
listed building grade II
last updated May 30th, 2020.
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Bury St Edmunds Saracen's Head
also traded as Great Head
East, 52.2419,0.71228
closed 1901
opened pre-1730
60-65 Guildhall St
grid reference TL 852 638
It's shown (though not named) on this old OS map from about the end of the 19th century. interactive map
The building dates from the early 16th century, though the façade is 19th century. The building now houses the Hunter Club, a popular live music venue.
The Saracen's Head is listed at 61 Guildhall Street in 1855. The 1881 census lists 3 separate premises here, with a brewer at 63, a cooper at 64 and a publican (Great Head) at 65.
A Victorian brewery is also listed here from 1864 until 1901.
Gallery
Westgate 0.03 mile
Rose & Crown 0.08 mile
Masons' Arms 0.12 mile
Oakes Barn 0.14 mile
Queen's Bar & Grill 0.17 mile
Vespers 0.19 mileHistorical interest
A reference appears in the Ipswich Journal, February 23rd 1754***, to the Great Head in Bury St Edmunds.
George Mills, lately removed from the Saracen's Head, in the Guildhall Street, to that ancient, commodious Inn call'd the Six Bells, Bury St Edmunds.Ipswich Journal, October 12th 1765***
Mary Ann GARDINER thanks the friends of her late husband...it is her intention to continue the business (at) the Sarecen's Head.Ipswich Journal, March 31st 1841**
Sometime after closure (1901) the empty Saracen's Head became a home to the local British Legion club (founded 1921).
Landlords
(Most pub, location & historic details collated by Nigel, Tony or Keith - original sources are credited)
(1861 census information from Malcolm Fairley)
(some old PO directory information courtesy of londonpublichouse.com)
(** historic newspaper information from Bob Mitchell)
Old OS map reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland.
