Kelsale Eight Bells
listed building grade II
Kelsale is part of the Kelsale cum Carlton parish.
last updated Dec 5th, 2021.
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Kelsale Eight Bells
South East, 52.23129,1.49404
closed 1986
opened about 1850
Bridge St
grid reference TM 386 649
The pub is shown on this old OS map from about the end of the 19th century. interactive map
Now residential and called Bell House.
Most of the building is early-mid 19th century, though parts date from the 16th. We are told by Alistair McCartney, a local resident, that the licence may have been granted when the Six Bells (opposite) closed as a pub - hence the similar name - which may also indicate that the peal of bells in the nearby church (of St.Mary & St.Peter) had also been upgraded from the original set? According to White's Directory (in 1874) the two extra bells were added in about 1831.
In 1855 the landlord is also listed as a brewer.
A Charles Abbott is also listed as landlord of the Ship in Blaxhall in 1879, close to where the Charles Abbott here is shown as having been born?
Gallery
Poacher's Pocket 0.52 mile
Bell 1.13 miles
Queen's Head 1.17 miles
White Horse 2.3 miles
King's Head 2.4 miles
White Horse 2.7 milesHistorical interest
The members of Court ‘Pride of the Valley’ No. 3,490, celebrated their 25th anniversary in July 1885. They met at the court room and, headed by the band of the G Company, 1st SRV, marched to the church. At 5.30pm 110 of the members and friends assembled in the schoolroom and sat down to a spread, well served by host Barham, of the Eight Bells Inn. Ipswich Journal, July 1885**
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)
(thanks to John Martin for the 1881 census corrections)
Old OS map reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland.
