Belgrave Gate pictured above shows the fine Victorian buildings of the Red Cow, standing against its Georgian neighbours.
A late 19th century rebuild on the site of the previous Red Cow which was listed in 1815, whose brewing plant had been auctioned off in 1853.
Picture taken from rear of the old Brewers Arms, 1996. Planning permission granted to turn the Red Cow into flats. The building was sold in 2001.
The Leicester Journal of 3rd of the June 1812 mentions the Red Cow. A report around the time of the battle of Waterloo (1815) describes a transparent painting in a window of the Red Cow of John Bull cutting off the Russian bear’s head. (Russia did have a treaty with Napoleon) c.1807. Although Russia and Britain were on same side by 1815.
Thomas Knight was landlord throughout the 1820s and into the 1830s. Knight had one of Leicester’s cock-pits at the rear of the Red Cow, where a charge was made to view. Magistrates and clergy would attend, (fights still broke out), to enjoy the sport. Thomas Knight kept his own prize cocks to fight all comers, Shrove Tuesday being the main cocking event of the year.
In 1838, whilst billeted at the Red Cow, Thomas Wilcox of the 75th of Foot Regiment was charged with assaulting Martha Smith, a servant. The newspaper report quoted ‘Wilcox had been in company of the jolly god “Bacchus”, refused to leave Martha’s room where Martha wanted the room more than his company’.
John Neale was victualler in 1840s, who passed on the licence to Wm Smart 1847.
Licensees from 1851:
1851 William Eldred.
1853 Nathaniel Walker
1855 E. Crofts
1864 Henry Illsey
1866 George Stone
1875 William Atkins. William died 1887, aged forty seven, preceded by his wife Selene 1882. aged forty five.
The following are from JR’s list
1887 Sarah Atkins
1888 G. Driver
1891 William Kirk
1900 Joseph Taylor, died 1907. Taylor was described as a maltster (see comment from Diana Becker below)
1907 Louisa Taylor
1907 Harry Stacey
1911 William Sharpe
1923 George Beule ?
1926 James Clarke
1931 Henry Nettleship
Brewers Marston Thompson & Sons supplied the beer until Bass Ratcliffe & Gretton bought it in 1922.
Terry Painter, who as a boy lived at the pub during the 1950s, rescued this World War Two poster from the Red Cow, found in some old invoice records.
World Champion Cyclist Richard (Dick) Howells (Penny Farthing) would stay at the Red Cow during the 1880’s90′. when racing at the Belgrave Rd ground, The Red Cow presented him with a silver Tea Set in Jan 1887, things took a more sinister turn three years later when Dick Howells was charged with rape on Rosie Lewin a house and barmaid at the Red Cow, Rosie claimed the offence took place when Howells followed her up to her bedroom. Unfortunately for Rosie the court was told she was of loose morals which counted against her. Dick Howells was therefore found not guilty, but a stain on his character prevailed.
EX Red Cow, now flats at least this fine Victorian building has survived, (photo 2023 from Jeremy Corbett collection)
Hello I am Diana Becker, Vancouver Canada. My great grandfather was Joseph Taylor. Lincence 1900. My grandmother was Emma Taylor who married Harry Thorpe. My father Stanley Thorpe lived at the Pub sometime after he was born in 1916. He left around 1930. My grandmother threw her husband out when he stole the savings. She and her daughter later moved on…..Emma died
in Leicester in the early 1950s at 64 years of age. It would be interesting to hear from anyone who knew Emma Thorpe.
Thanks Diana, fascinating story, just what we are looking for, hopefully someone will pick up on it for you, many thanks for your input interest and support.
I took some photos today of 1Orchard Street, Leicester, which used to be the Red Cow Public House. My daughter Daisy found War records online stating the above address for my grandparents, my father and two siblings. Presumably this would have been circa 1914-18 or thereafter; my father was born in April 1913.
The exterior of the building, now called Orchard House, is in need of some TLC, although the interior looks fairly luxurious, based upon an Estate Agents’ photos of Flat 4. However, outside there are still original lampshades with ‘Bass’ written on them. Michael Rowe, Leicester.
Joseph and Louisa Taylor, who ran the pub from 1900 to 1907, had several children. One of them, their son, Horace, once rode his push bike in through the front door of the pub and, unable to stop, crashed his bike into the bar whilst he sailed over it. Ever after that he was known as Tod, after the jump jockey Tod Slaughter, who was very popular at the time. At that time the pub was well known for illegal, off course betting.
Great story, thanks Ann, all adds to its history