Lancaster nostalgia: The White Lion Inn

A former Lancaster pub, which is now student accommodation, is brought to life in these pictures.
The former White Lion pub in Lancaster. Picture by Andrew Reilly.The former White Lion pub in Lancaster. Picture by Andrew Reilly.
The former White Lion pub in Lancaster. Picture by Andrew Reilly.

The White Lion Inn stood at the north east-end of St Leonardgate in Lancaster.

For man years it was the tollbar for goods coming into Lancaster from the north east, a function which it shared at other entrance points with the White Cross and the Bridge Inn.

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The records often confuse this inn with what used to be the White Lion in Penny Street.

The former White Lion pub in Lancaster. Picture by Andrew Reilly.The former White Lion pub in Lancaster. Picture by Andrew Reilly.
The former White Lion pub in Lancaster. Picture by Andrew Reilly.

In 1825 the carrier N Metcalf left from here every Thursday for Hawes and Richmond. A valuation of 1883 survives in the city museum.

In 1886 the borough tolls were bought out by Lord Ashton, which must have had a dramatic effect upon takings at the inn.

In 2002 the White Lion was closed and turned into student accommodation.

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The following is a list of previous owners at the White Lion Inn:

The former White Lion pub in Lancaster. Picture by Andrew Reilly.The former White Lion pub in Lancaster. Picture by Andrew Reilly.
The former White Lion pub in Lancaster. Picture by Andrew Reilly.

l 1807: James Burkit

l 1818-28: Richard Leak or Leack

l 1834: Thomas Kellet Mashiter

l 1844-51: John Green

The former White Lion pub in Lancaster. Picture by Andrew Reilly.The former White Lion pub in Lancaster. Picture by Andrew Reilly.
The former White Lion pub in Lancaster. Picture by Andrew Reilly.

l 1856: William Hill

l 1864-72: William Butterworth (1865 election petition)

l 1881: (census) Dorothy Thomas

l 1883-85: Charles Bond

The former White Lion pub in Lancaster. Picture by Andrew Reilly.The former White Lion pub in Lancaster. Picture by Andrew Reilly.
The former White Lion pub in Lancaster. Picture by Andrew Reilly.

l 1886: Tolls bought out by Lord Ashton

l 1886-96: Frederick George Nield

l 1901: Mrs C Neild

l 1913: A N Jackson

l 1929: unknown

l 1934: T Seed

The former White Lion pub in Lancaster. Picture by Andrew Reilly.The former White Lion pub in Lancaster. Picture by Andrew Reilly.
The former White Lion pub in Lancaster. Picture by Andrew Reilly.

l 1956-57: unknown

l 1970: E Riley

l 2002: closed and turned into student accommodation.

Some owners may be missing from the list at the time of publication - where you a previous owner or have any more information on the White Lion Inn?

If so please email [email protected] or call 01524 385 932.

Thank you to Andrew Reilly for supplying us with the pictures. Information is also taken from Lancaster’s Historic Inns by Andrew White, which is available to buy on amazon.co.uk.

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