Railway Inn

Name: The Railway Inn

Address: 1, Botany, Chorley

The Railway (1970's)

The Railway Inn first appeared in records around 1870 and was an Inn and Lodging House. It was named after its association with the railways and particularly the line which crossed the Nine Arches.

The photo below captures the moment of the demolition of the nine-arch railway viaduct at Botany Brow, Chorley. The 300ft long viaduct was demolished by a controlled explosion on 10 November 1968, to make way for the new M61 linking Preston and Manchester.

The viaduct was opened in 1869, and carried the railway line from Chorley-Cherry Tree over the Leeds-Liverpool Canal at Chorley until the line was closed in 1956. This viaduct had an overall length of 385' and the width between spandrel walls was 28'6". It consisted of nine masonry faced semi-circular arches each of 33' clear span carried on 4'6" wide masonry piers.

Whilst the Inn remains open to this day, it is now known as the Lock and Quay and is reportedly the oldest building in Botany. 

Listed landlords were John Berry (1871-1901), Ellen Morrison (1911-) and John Gorton (1936). This was very much a family business as it stayed within the Berry family for in excess of 50 years...Ellen Morrison was the daughter of John Berry.

1871 Census

Marriage: 16 Sept 1875 St Peter, Chorley, Lancashire, England

William Schofield - 21 Joiner Bachelor of Chorley

Christiana Berry - 20 Spinster of Chorley

Groom's Father: John Schofield, Farmer

Bride's Father: John Berry, Publican

Witness: Jas. Beaver; Jane Schofield, (X)

Married by Licence by: G. S. Jellicoe

Register: Marriages 1852 - 1893, Page 134, Entry 268

Source: LDS Film 1517687

1881 Census

Marriage: 29 Apr 1882 St Peter, Chorley, Lancashire, England
Isaac Morrison - 20 Farmer Bachelor of Crosse Hall Fold, Chorley
Ellen Berry - 23 Spinster of 1 Botany, Chorley
Groom's Father: Isaac Morrison, Decd., Farmer
Bride's Father: John Berry, Publican
Witness: Hannah Morrison; William Schofield
Married by Licence by: Thomas Lund, Vicar
Register: Marriages 1852 - 1893, Page 182, Entry 363
Source: LDS Film 1517687

1891 Census

1901 Census

1911 Census

1921 Census Ellen Morrison