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Ipswich King's Head
Ipswich King's Head
also traded as Old King's Head
South East, 52.05739,1.15204
closed 1880
opened 1531
14 King St
grid reference TM 161 445
The King's Head was demolished to make way for the Corn Exchange in 1880, together with adjacent Sickle. This was one of the town's most ancient inns; one of only 24 to appear on a town assessment of 1689. It's claimed**** that King Street takes its name from the inn. It was a notorious venue for cock-fighting in the 18th century.
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.
These premises were listed in the 1844 White's Directory, with carriers operating from the inn to Bergholt.
By 1865 it was called the Old Kings Head.
Gallery
Historical interest
A reference appears in Ipswich Journal, 6 & 13 Nov 1725***, to the King's Head. Ipswich.
A reference appears in Ipswich Journal, 10 Feb 1733***, to the King's Head in Ipswich.
A reference appears in the Ipswich Journal, 31 Jan 1736***, to the Kings Head in Ipswich
A reference appears in the Ipswich Journal, 8 Oct 1736***, to the Kings Head tavern in Ipswich…
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)
(***** information supplied by Neil Langridge)