Leyland - Bay Horse

Name: Bay Horse aka Fox & Lion

Address: 1, Towngate, Leyland

The Bay Horse Inn is one of Leyland's oldest Inns dating back to the 1700s and is still trading today albeit under the name, Fox and Lion. It has also had a spell as the Ring o' Bells in more recent years. Located at the end of Towngate (previously known as Main Street) at the junction with Fox Lane and close to Worden Hall it held a prominent position at the south end of the town and was a busy coaching house in the 18th and 19th centuries. 

1828 Pigot's Directory

Annotated Map of pubs in and around Towngate

Listed landlords at the Bay Horse were William Chew (1828-43), John Simpson (1843-48), Janet Simpson (1848-1850), Thomas Boardman (1850-67), Mary Boardman (1867-74), John Hurst (1875), Edward Ainscough (1880), Edmund Clieveley (1881-83), Margaret Duxbury (1886-91),  John Metcalf (1901-03), George Dearden (1911), Henry Parkinson 1917) and Mr H Ray (1955).

1834 Pigot's Directory

To be Sold, by Auction, by Mr. R. Rowe at the house of Mr. William Chew, the sign of the Bay Horse, in Leyland, in the County of Lancaster, on Monday, September the 18th 1843 at six o'clock in the evening, subject to conditions 

09 September 1843 - Preston Chronicle

1841 Census John Simpson

The 1841 census for John Simpson (20 years) shows him living in the Lodge on Main Street not far from the Bay Horse where William Chew was behind the bar.  In 1843 he married Janet Baldwin at St.Andrews Church and shortly after was running the Bay Horse. Sadly he died only a few years later in 1848 at the tender age of 29 years. His widow stayed on at the pub and remarried Thomas Boardman in 1850. Janet then died at only 36 years of age in 1856 leaving Thomas a widow.

1846 Slater's Directory

Marriage Announcement

Parish Church, Leyland, by the Rev. G. Baldwin, A.M., vicar, Mr. Thomas Boardman, of Preston, to Mrs. Simpson, of the Bay Horse Inn, Leyland. 

16 March 1850 - Preston Chronicle

1851 Census

1854 Mannex Directory

Slater's 1855 Directory

Marriage: 8 Jul 1857 St Andrew, Leyland, Lancs.
Thomas Boardman - full age, Inn Keeper, Widower, Leyland
Mary Carter - full age, Spinster, Leyland
    Groom's Father: Henry Boardman, Bobbin Turner
    Bride's Father: William Carter, Farmer
    Witness: Emanuel Ringell; Susan Burkitt
    Married by Licence by: Peter Fox Curate
    Register: Marriages 1856 - 1875, Page 29, Entry 57
    Source: Original register held at Lancashire Archives

1858 Post Office Directory

1861 Census

LEYLAND BUILDING CLUB-The members of this club met, on Monday evening last, at Mr. Thomas Boardman's the Bay Horse Inn, Leyland, for the purpose of winding up the affairs of the society. The solicitors of the society -Mr. Miles Myres of Preston.
30 January 1864 - Preston Chronicle

For Sale 
On Wednesday evening last, at the house of Mrs. Boardman, the Bay Horse Inn, Leyland, ten cottages, the property of Mr. James Entwistle, by whom they have lately been erected on Golden-hill, Leyland.
05 June 1869 - Wigan Observer and District Advertiser

Slater's 1869 Directory

1871 Census

To Sold by Auction by Mr. Henry Snaps at the house of Mrs. Boardman, Bay Horse Inn, Leyland, Tuesday, the 12th December next, seven o’clock in the evening prompt, subject to conditions to be then produced, 4 Freehold COTTAGE and CELLAR, No. 29.
02 December 1871 - Preston Herald - Preston, Lancashire, England

The Roebuck Hotel and Bay Horse Inn c.1950s

  

PUBLIC-HOUSE PROPERTY, "BAY HORSE” INN, LEYLAND 

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, by Mr, H. Snape

ALL that old established and well known Inn or Public-house, called the Bay Horse, situate Leyland with the Brewhouse, Malt-room. Granary. Coach House, Stables, Outbuildings, and Garden thereto belonging, late the property of Mrs. Boardman 

09 January 1875 - Preston Herald 

Following the death of Mary Boardman the Inn changed landlords a number of time in a short period as show by the press excerpts below: -

The sale was most ably conducted by Mr. Richard Moulding at the house of Mr. John Hurst, the Bay Horse Inn, Leyland...

16 October 1875 - Preston Herald

Auction at the house of Mr. Edward Ainscough, the Bay Horse Hotel, Leyland, Mr. Richard Moulding, auctioneer, it offered for sale, in four lots, the four dwelling houses...
13 March 1880 - Preston Chronicle

1881 Census

Struggle with a Burglar
George Waring, alias Dan, was yesterday charged at the Leyland Police Court with breaking into the house of Mrs. Margaret Duxbury, the Bay Horse Inn, Leyland, and stealing therefrom number of cigars, a bottle of whisky, and 9s, or 10s.
10 August 1886 - Manchester Evening News

Early 1980s - Bay Horse temporarily closed for business

1891 Census

1901 Census

1911 Census

1917 Barrett's Directory

"Pub singing might cause nuisance" 
An application for a music licence by Mr. H. Ray. licensee of the Bay Horse Hotel. Leyland was refused by Leyland Magistrates, today. Mr. D. Fazackerley, for Ray. said he wanted to have an organ attachment...
10 October 1955 - Lancashire Evening Post