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Ipswich Magpie Inn
Ipswich Magpie Inn
52.053,1.14989
closed 1st January 1911
opened 1867 circa
39 Wolsey St
grid reference TM 160 440
Pub not found on 1861 census. Henry Cook was the licensee by 1869 until at least 1881. His name can be clearly seen in the photo in our gallery.
The pub's closure date is recorded in the Borough Police licensed premises register 1903-1923. It's since been demolished.
The pub was on a corner plot next to the coal yard and opposite Quadling street. The photo shows this to good effect. Today the pub site is very close to where McDonalds on Cardinal park is built.***
Gallery
Historical interest
Although slightly speculative, it seems quite possible that the following report may refer to the proposed building of this pub:
To be sold by auction, to brewers and others, a newly and well arranged dwelling house and premises, well adapted for a public house, situated in Wolsey Street, Ipswich, in close proximity to the new goods station.Ipswich Journal, Oct 1865**
At 39 Wolsey Street from the 1891 census onwards. Prior to that the pub was listed at 21 Lower Wolsey Street in the 1871 census and at 21 Wolsey Street in 1881.***
The Yarmouth Arms is also listed at 21 Lower Wolsey Street on the 1871 census. But it can't have been as the Magpie was definitely at 21 and listed on the previous page in the correct order…
Landlords
Footnote
The name may refer to an ancient meaning for the word magpie, "a half pint".
NOTE: Wolsey Street used to be separated in the middle by Wolsey Bridge (close to the bottom of Cecelia Street). Prior to the 1891 census the houses north of the bridge were numbered 1-15 and then started again from number 1 for Lower Wolsey Street south of the bridge. However in 1891 census the numbers were continuous running from 1-65.***
(Most pub, location & historic details collated by Nigel, Tony or Keith - original sources are credited)
(** historic newspaper information from Stuart Ansell)
*** detail supplied by Graham Burrows