Great White Horse, Ipswich

A report in the Ipswich Journal** on 17 Jan in 1801 states that: "Thursday, died, after a long affliction, much respected, Mrs BAMFORD, wife of Mr BAMFORD, at the Great White Horse, Ipswich." In 1865 it is listed as a Family & Commercial hotel & Posting house & refreshment rooms at railway station. A report in the Suffolk Chronicle** on 23rd January, 1813 states that the Great White Horse Tavern & Hotel in Ipswich has been taken over by William BROOKS. In early 19th cent. The inn was effectively a "terminus" for many coaches to London, Great Yarmouth or Norwich. Lord Nelson stayed here overnight in Nov 1800 with Lord & Lady Hamilton. His reception was tremendous (after battle of Nile) & reportedly the "enthusiastic citizens unharnessed the horses from their carriage & drew it through cheering crowds to the end of St Mathews St." Earlier in the day he had taken the opportunity to visit "Roundwood" a house his wife had purchased for him in NE Ipswich - but sadly he subsequently never lived there. Charles Dickens also famously stayed at the hotel when he was working as a young reporter, covering a by-election in Sudbury & was appauled by local dubious vote buying practices then employed. His experiences (of 1835) soon provided him with the inspiration for Eatenswill in his first book, Pickwick Papers. It also caused him to be threatened with libel action by the hotel's then proprietor William Brooks. Other eminent visitors have included George II & Louis XVIII of France. A report in the Ipswich Journal** on 26 May in 1883 states that : "Auction of the Great White Horse, Ipswich; by direction of Mr W.T.HOLMES (on expiry of the lease)." Photographs of this Grade II* listed pub and more up-to-date and detailed information about it can be found at suffolk.camra.org.uk/pub/486