android appClare Bear & Crown
listed building grade II*
CAMRA West Suffolk & Borders branch.
last updated Feb 17th, 2021.
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Clare Bear & Crown
also traded as Bear
West, 52.07788,0.58154
Closed :between 1920 and 1970
20 Market Hill
grid reference TL 770 453
It's shown as an un-named hotel on this old OS map from about the end of the 19th century. interactive map
The Suffolk Historic Buildings Group state this is one of the most important buildings in Clare. Sometimes known just as the Bear, and earlier as New Hall, this is a 16th century double gabled house built on the site of the bailey barn and woodyard, and much altered early in the 19th century when it was re-fronted.
Historically it has been listed as a family & commercial hotel & posting house.
It was originally a trading house, probably for woollen goods. A claim has been made that it was once the town's Woolhall, but neither the deeds of the house nor other records confirm this, so at best the claim must be reckoned to be an unsubstantiated tradition…
Gallery
Nearby Suffolk pubs
Swan 0.04 mile
Bell 0.05 mile
Globe 0.20 mile
Lion 2.1 milesHistorical interest
The members of the ‘Good Intent’ Lodge, M U I Odd Fellows, held their anniversary at the Bear Hotel. The procession formed at the Market Hill at 1pm, headed by the Clare band, marched around the town. At 2pm about 70 members and friends sat down to a substantial dinner, provided by the worthy host, Mr Joseph Deeks. Ipswich Journal, July 1875**
Landlords
Thanks to Carl Benson of the Suffolk Latch Company for the historical photos.
(Most pub, location & historic details collated by Nigel, Tony or Keith - original sources are credited)
(historical detail found in Clare Book II streets
(some old PO directory information courtesy of londonpublichouse.com)
(** 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.
