Exeter Memories - Village Inn

Village Inn sign Hazel Harvey's research indicates that there was an inn at this spot in the 15th-century, as part of the Exwick manor-house, which no longer exists. The 1839 tithe map for Exwick shows the Village Inn as a house belonging to William Wood. All that remains of the original Exwick House and the associated inn is a cob wall bounding St Andrew's Road.

It has also been suggested that it was a former coaching inn - during the heyday of the turnpikes in England, the main route out of Exeter to the north was on the other side of the river which was served by the Red Cow Inn. There would have been no reason for a coaching inn at Exwick, on a minor route. However, there was a passing trade from packhorse drivers and walkers who were in transit up Hamlyn Lane towards Whitestone church.

The actual origin of the Lamb Inn is not clear, but Thomas Shapter does mention the inn, in his 1848 book about the cholera outbreak. The landlord of the Lamb was summoned before the St Thomas Board of Health for advertising a forthcoming wrestling match at the inn, while the outbreak was raging, in 1832. He promised to cancel the match and bills were printed advertising the cancellation and a special constable appointed to ensure compliance.

1832 - Lamb Inn - a wrestling match at the inn was cancelled due to the cholera
1850 - Lamb, Jno. Moore, Exwick - White's
1871 - Lamb inn p.h. exwick Hayman, H., - Pocket Journal
1879 - Lamb, Exwick, Harry Smith Hayman - White's
1881 - Hayman, 60, innkeeper, Son, son-in-law and niece - census return
1897 - Lamb, Harry Smith - Kelly's (The same as above?)
1906 - Lamb, Harry Pattern - Besley's
1919 - Lamb, Henry Newbery - Kelly's
1923 - Lamb, Henry Newbery - Post Office - noted for brewing their own beer)
1930 - Lamb, Moore, F. J. W., Exwick - Besley's
1933/36 - Lamb, Howard, Walter John, Exwick - Besley's
1956 - Lamb, Stanley Blackmore - Kelly's
1985 - The Village Inn

Tracing the history of a public house throws up suicides, deaths and marriages. This piece appeared on 14 September 1854 in the Flying Post and marks a marriage between the Lamb, and the George & Dragon in Blackboy Road.

"September 13, at St Thomas the Apostle, by the Rev W. H. Howard, Mr. George Ash, of the George and Dragon Inn, St Sidwell's, Exeter, to Mrs Charlotte Sawdye, of the Lamb Inn, Exwick".

A notice for sale appeared, also in the Flying Post in May 1865.

MESSRS WARE and SON will offer for SALE, by Auction, at the LAMB INN, Exwick on TUESDAY, the 16th day of MAY instant, at Three o'Clock in the Afternoon, all that old established and well frequented

HOSTELRY, called "THE LAMB INN," situate in Exwick, and now and for many years past in the occupation of Mr. Henry Hayman; also, a Cottage or Dwelling House adjoining the above Inn, now in the occupation of Mr. Bennett.

The above Inn is situate near the Bristol and Exeter Railway Station and several factories.

Mr. Hayman has kindly consented to show the premises and particulars may be obtained either of the AUCTIONEERS; or of

Mr. JOHN POPE, Solicitor,
5, Gandy-street, Exeter.
Dated Paris-street, May 2nd, 1865.

During the early years of the last century, the inn was often used for social events such as the Monday evening whist drive, and for public meetings. A skittle alley was built when a cottage, occupied by a Mr Woodgate, on the side of the inn was removed. There were also two cottages at the rear of the inn which have since been lost.

Two men from Exwick were taken prisoner by the Boars at Colenso and imprisoned at Waterval, while fighting in the Boar War. After they were released in 1907, Pte W Bearmore and Pte Heard of the 2nd Devons were treated to a Welcome Celebration at the Lamb Inn, where 50 dined to hear their story. Pte Heard gave an account of the Battle of Colenso and their life as prisoners of war in Waterval to the assembled audience.

The interior of the inn was described in an article in the Express and Echo in 1977 thus "The Lamb Inn, Exwick - a former Judges house, has all the characteristics of an Olde Worlde Inn, even down to a heavy wooden beam obtained from Dartmoor Prison, which is incorporated in the present extension."

It was in 1987 that the Lamb's name was changed to the Village Inn.

Source: The Village Inn website and West of the River by Hazel Harvey, various trade directories, Trewman's Exeter Flying Post and Alan H Manozowicz.