King's Head Hotel, Beccles

Historically listed as an Inn & Posting House. A report in the Ipswich Journal on 10 Oct 1801 states that Robert BIRLING, is leaving The KINGS HEAD, Beccles & moving to THREE TUNNS Inn, Bungay at Michaelmas. A report in the Ipswich Journal on 15 Sep 1804 states that J.MAPES (late servant of Thomas Cubitt Esq, Honing, Norfolk) has engaged the above Inn from Michaelmas next. In 1830 Royal Mail coaches called every afternoon at half past four to go to London. Other coaches from the hotel included the "Star" departing every morning at half past six to London via Bungay, Harleston, Scole, Eye & Ipswich, & the "Accommodation" departing every Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday at half past eight to Bury St Edmunds, & the "Pilot" departing every Monday, Wednesday & Saturday evening at half past six to Lowestoft. A report in the Ipswich Journal in Sep 1880 states that "Died on the 7th very suddenly Ellen, aged 43, wife of Peter Youngs landlord of the King's Head Hotel". In the Almanack on 11 Feb 1902 the following was reported "The first of the annual dinners to the railway employees, at Beccles, promoted by public subscription, was held at the King's Head Hotel, Dr. McComb presiding in the absence of the Mayor. Mr. Blanden, station master, was in the vice-chair & about 50 members of the staff were present". In the Almanack on 15 Mar 1902 the following was reported: "FIRE BRIGADE: Annual Dinner of the Caxton Press Fire Brigade held at the King's Head Hotel, the Mayor presiding." In the East Suffolk Gazzette on 29 Aug 1911 the King's Head was reported for sale. In the East Suffolk Gazzette on 29 Aug 1911 it was reported: "The Beccles aeroplane: Large party come from Ipswich, Yoxford, Melton, etc to see Capt Saunders' Aeroplane. Tea at King's Head. Saunders demonstrates engine. Gusty wind prevents flying: good to see that common sense prevailed - in the East Suffolk Gazzette on 17 Jan 2011 it was previously reported: "AEROPLANE IN DANGER: Captain Sanders had his aeroplane brought out of the shed on to the Common on Sunday morning & he had mounted it for a run when an escape of petrol set fire to the right-hand plane of the machine. Efforts were promptly made to smother the outbreak & were happily successful, though not til a big hole had been burnt by the destruction of part of the canvas lining of the plane. NOTE: The earliest report of flight in Beccles refers to three over Beccles Common, where the Sanders machines were constructed. At least one of these took place on 30 April 1911, when a height of forty feet was achieved & a speed of 40mph. In 1916 also listed as Ancient Order of Forresters “Pride of the Forest & Oddfellows Temple of Fellowship€. In 1922 was called a family & commercial hotel & posting house with a motor garage. Popular multi-roomed, town centre hotel dating from 15th cent. Photographs of this pub and more historical information about it can be found at suffolkcamra.co.uk/pubs/pub/43