The area developed mainly from the mid-19th century. The Watts family acquired Danets Hall, giving their name to ‘Watts Causeway’ which later became King Richards Road.
The Dane Hills Tavern gained its beer licence circa 1830s. It seems to have been a rural type of farmhouse as Ed South, licensee, of the beerhouse had a dairy on the site when in 1840, some meat was stolen from there. He was also caught serving beer during divine service and fined in 1839.
In 1850, the River Soar broke its banks and the Dane Hills Tavern found the water rushing through the house, washing away some beer barrels.
Henry Hall was classed as a cattle dealer and publican of the Dane Hills in 1852.
1861 A full licence granted, Matilda Headly victular. 1874 Harry Arnold licensee and owner who seemed to have purchased the pub from Joseph Harris. 1889 Thomas Lill was landlord.
It seems to have been rebuilt or substantially altered in 1899, when a new licence was applied for ‘on the site, with permission to rebuild.’ This was granted, providing the frontage did not exceed its original 31ft.
A strange occurrence happened in 1883, when Charles Arnold, the 44- year-old brother of the landlord was found lying dead in the coach house, with a revolver in his hand. The press reported it as suspicious stating ‘the reason for this rash act remains a mystery.’
After the rebuild in 1889 Henry Oswin became licensee. James Eadie Brewers of Burton now owning the Dane Hills Tavern.
1904 Henry Jacobs installed as landlord. 1907 Willoughby Billson Hardy (Looks like) 1909 Oliver Smith. Elizabeth Rebecca Ann Smith took the licence 1917, Oliver Smith again after the First War, he died c1929 Norman Smith then took over. he is there until c1945,An Elizabeth Rebecca Ann Smith is back again until after 1950. Interesting, members of the Smith family mine hosts all those years. needs some family research. 1963 On Leaving Dane Hills the pub was broken into and jewelry stolen worth over 1000 pounds plus hundreds of pounds in cash and many of Mrs Smith valuables. It was the second time the Dane Hills had been burgled as in 1959 three teenagers broke in and stole cash. Elizabeth would move to the Havelock Arms on Dane Hills closing.
No photo of the pub has yet emerged although, it survived until circa 1963, when it was replaced by The Bosworth (named after the battle).
