Monument record 7294 - Site of the Headless Woman Inn

<1> Miller, G, 2013, The Headless Woman Inn - Historic Building Report (Client Report). SCH7247.

The name of the inn derives from a local legend that the housekeeper of nearby Hockenhull Hall was beheaded by Roundheads during the Civil War for refusing to disclose the whereabouts of her master’s hidden silver. While the inn has been known by this name since the 1830s – it was previously called The Quiet Woman, first recorded in 1797 – details of the story were first published only in the 1940s. More recent research has concluded it has no basis in historical fact.

The oldest portion of the present building is its main range facing the road, which is a linear, two-storey three-unit brick structure of 18th-early 19th century date. This is shown as existing on the 1841 tithe map of Duddon, when a short wing to the rear is also depicted. Later mapping shows the footprint of the building remained unchanged until at least 1908. Thereafter, probably between 1910 and 1920, the present two-storey rear wing was built, and subsequently a single-storey extension, latterly a kitchen, added probably in the 1920s. The windows of the main range also date from the early 20th century, as does the present off-centre porch. The latter replaced an earlier structure, shown by historic mapping, in the middle of the building. In the late 20th century extensive alteration and addition occurred, and much of the present interior – in which few historical features survive – dates from this period. During this phase a single-storey toilet block was added on the east side and subsequently a large single-storey dining room to the rear. Consequently, the historic character of the building has been greatly eroded.

The figure of a headless lady that stood at the inn from the early 20th century to after World War II was the decapitated figurehead of the sailing ship Falkirk.

<2> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 142/2 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

Th pub is depicted as being T-shaped with a long and narrow main range fronting the road and a small rear wing.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1896-1898, Ordnance Survey First Revision County Series (Epoch 2) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ5164 1897 (Maps and Plans). SCH3848.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1909-1912, Ordnance Survey Second Revision County Series (Epoch 3) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ5164 1908 (Maps and Plans). SCH4361.

<5> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Edwards R, 28/10/2013 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

Building demolished in 2013.