Some of Gedling borough’s pubs have some really interesting names so we decided to explore their origins.
This week we have uncovered the history of a number of watering holes in Mapperley, some still with us, others long gone, and found out how they came to get their titles.
PLAINSMAN – Woodthorpe Drive
The naming of this pub – which first opened its doors back in December 1969 – was an attempt to integrate the local area with American history.
Touches of the Wild West were visible inside back in the day with eye-catching murals on display that were the work of Ernest Bottomley – a former senior art lecturer at the Manchester Polytechnic.
His silver bison herd on a golden range was featured on a straight wood carving and for
preliminary research he studied these animals closely beforehand at a zoo. A hunter’s buffalo gun, a life-size Colt 45 and other reminders of tough frontier living are incorporated in a composition of wood and leather.
As for the original inn-sign itself, this was an impressive interpretation of the Western theme inspired by The Plainsman film starring the late, great Gary Cooper as Wild Bill Hickok and can still be seen outside the pub to this day.
The Woodthorpe Top – Woodthorpe Drive
The Woodthorpe Top was once Woodthorpe Grange Motors, the successor to Hopcroft Motors, for whom this single-storey building was erected after the Secondary World War.
Traveller’s Rest – Mapperley Plains
This inn, once known as the HalfWay House originates from I872 and was rebuilt in 1925.
Its first owner was a farrier, who attended to the re-shoeing of horses after they were watered at the pub.
For most people in the 19th and first quarter of the 20th century, the Carriers’ Cart was the only way of transporting themselves and their goods from Nottingham and Southwell.
In those days the carts made their twice-weekly trips to Southwell from the Black Boy, The Crown’ and The Maypole pubs on Long Row in Nottingham. This pub, with its strategic position, would certainly have occasion to be restful to these travellers.
Tree Tops – Plains Road
This pub – which opened on October 9, l963 was formerly a commercial and residential guest house.
Situated at one of the highest points in the district – a factor from which it
takes its name – it offered scenic views over the neighbouring countryside.
