Traditional British Inn at the Heart of Diana Country
The Althorp Coaching Inn
Historic 16th Century Coaching Inn
Warm and Friendly Welcome
Traditional Surroundings
Great Food
Real Ales
Copyright © 2008-
FOX & HOUNDS
Phone:
01604 770651
History
Great Brington is an ancient agricultural parish, first noted in 1086. It passed to John Spencer Esq, linear ancestor of Earl Spencer.
In 1765, the first written reference was made to the Alehouse. John Blencowe was guaranteed the lordly sum of ten pounds sterling.
In 1777, Samuel Dubleton (The Elder) began his family's half century's involvement
with the Inn. One clause of his licence stated that he should not "knowingly introduce
permit or suffer any bull, bear or badger-
In 1885 Henry Palmer took up a 29 year tenancy. Water was provided for both Great and Little Brington in 1892 by the 5th Earl Spencer when he commissioned a deep Well reaching a depth of 202 feet.
By 1906, the Inn had become a bustling centre for tradesmen supplying Althorp House and had truly become a Coaching Inn. W J Shears being landlord, the landowner was the 6th Earl Spencer KG GC VO PC.
In 1924, Thomas Smith succeeded Shears at the Inn at a time when the Village still supported a blacksmith who attended the busy stables at the rear of the Inn.
In November 1999, Susan and Peter Krempels proudly purchased the Hostelry, freehold from Lord John Spencer, along with a number of estate cottages. The previous licensees all being tenants, the Krempels family were the first to run the famous Coaching Inn independently.
The late Lord John Spencer typed the receipt for the deposit himself and celebrated with the new owners at Althorp House.
The Inn has seen many celebrities pass through its doors and has been the star of many a newsreel featuring its occupants but none so liked and admired as the small girl who played outside in her home village of Great Brington, the late Princess Diana.
It is noted that George Farley ran the Alehouse in 1827 with a population of 857 recorded in the village during 1831.
In 1847 Thomas Main became the Landlord, supplementing his earnings working as a farmer, butcher and grazier. This was a common 19th century practice.
In 1854 John Casidy took over as Innkeeper and continued to maintain the graziers business, while Rev F J Ponsonby MA joined the Spencer family as Landlords in Great Brington.