Sorrel Horse Inn, Shottisham, Suffolk

Winter Opening hours:
Weekdays Inc. Sat.12pm – 3pm & 6pm – 9.45pm (food) 11pm (bar)
Sundays 12pm – 6pm (bar & food) - Closed Mondays

Quiz Night every other Wed. 8.30 start
Board Game/Bingo  Night every other Wed. 8.30 start

HISTORY of the SORREL HORSE

14th Century
Unfortunately, although the building is obviously very old - this historic building is believed to date back to the 14th century - and there must be many tales soaked into the fabric of its walls, there is very little recorded evidence or the inn's history over the past 600 or so years.

Smuggling
The inn is reputed to have had associations with smuggling fraternity; there is the familiar tale of the upstairs window where a candle was lit to warn smugglers of the presence of the revenue men. It may be just be embroidered rumour but there is a small window that looks out over what was once the main track from Ramsholt Dock...

Horse Thief
The inn is also reputed to have connections with Margaret Catchpole, who was renowned as a horse thief and gaol breaker, and her love of William Laud, who became embroiled in smuggling.
More, from the BBC here...

Fatal Accident
Thanks to a Canadian lady's thorough and scrupulous research, there is one very accurate report of a tragic event that directly involves the Sorrel Horse Inn. On the 7th April 1892, Arthur Herbert Stollery, a Boyton-born groom aged 30 years, was a passenger on Harry Ling's carrier's cart on a journey from Woodbridge to Hollesley. On leaving the Sorrel Horse Inn, Arthur drove the cart, with Harry Ling walking on ahead, up the hill. About 200 yards from the Sorrel Horse Inn, Arthur Stollery fell from the cart and broke his neck.

Arthur was brought to the Sorrel Horse, awaiting the attendance of Doctor Askin. Arthur was pronounced dead at 6.40pm. Shortly afterwards, the coroner's inquest was held at the Sorrel Horse Inn. Witnesses were Harry Ling, Alfred Ramsey Lennard, and Lucy Smith. The notice to the coroner from Suffolk Constabulary was signed by Alfred Cooper, "in charge of the Shottisham sub-district." The Canadian lady who researched this event is Shirley Stone, Arthur's great grand-daughter. In August 2003, Shirley lunched at the Sorrel Horse with another relation, Albert Stollery, and plans to return before too long.