Bourne Society Pub & Brewery History Group

Visit to the White Horse, Shere on May 1, 2004

Address: The Square, Shere Tel: 01483-202518  

OS:073478

 

The White Horse was originally a farmhouse in 1475, which was later used as a brew house using hops from this mid-Surrey area. After the addition of the first floor, the pub became an inn boasting two fine fireplaces. In the 18^th century, it was reputed to have been a favourite haunt of smugglers. In the construction of the White Horse Inn there are many old ship's timbers that were brought in the barges that used to travel between Deptford and Guildford.

 

The CAMRA Surrey Pub Guide 1997 shows Theakston best and Wadsworth 6X amongst the beers usually available.

 

From research of Kelly’s Directory between 1871 and 1938, Jean Tooke has discovered a rare situation, in which it appears the same family ran the pub for over 67 years. First we find Thomas Askew in charge in 1871. By 1887 Richard John Askew is listed, and appears through the turn of the century, through WW1 until 1922.

 

The 1881 census shows that Richard Askew was running the White Horse at least from that year.  Note the spelling variation for the village name, and that a cousin from Leicestershire was helping out as a barmaid:

Dwelling:           Shiere Village

Census Place:   Shere, Surrey, England

Source: FHL Film 1341182     PRO Ref RG11    Piece 0775    Folio 51    Page 29

                                    Marr      Age      Sex      Birthplace

Richd. J. ASKEW          M         28         M         Orpington, Kent, England

            Rel:      Head

            Occ:     Inn Keeper

Catherine ASKEW         M         26         F          Epsom, Surrey, England

            Rel:      Wife

Frances K. ASKEW                  1          F          Shiere (Guildford), Surrey, England

            Rel:      Daur

Frank T. ASKEW                      2 m       M         Shiere, Surrey, England

            Rel:      Son

Frances E. WRIGHT      U          29         F          Theddingworth, Leicester, England

            Rel:      Cousin

            Occ:     Barmaid

Elizabeth JUPP             U          19         F          Brighton, Sussex, England

            Rel:      Serv

            Occ:     Genl Servt

John NEWMAN             U          22         M         Warick, Warwick, England

            Rel:      Serv

            Occ:     Ostler

 

The 1881 census shows three pubs in the village at that time, with the King’s Head run by William and Louisa Harrison, and a beer house run by George and Charlotte Rogers.

 

In the 1934 and 1938 Directories we find Frank Askew as publican, representing the 3^rd generation of Askews at the White Horse.  We find him in the family aged 2 months in 1881. According to a recent CAMRA website entry, the current owner of the White Horse is Spirit Amber.

 

Shere is the home of the deep rooted Surrey family of Bray, whose members are remembered in the church of St James. It  was William Bray who completed the History of Surrey which was started by the Rev. Owen Manning of Peper Harow, the volumes of which are still used by researchers today. Manning died in 1801 but Bray though 65 took it upon himself to complete the work, visiting every church and parish in the county until he died aged 96 in 1832.

 

References: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~villages/Surrey/shere.htm

 

CAMRA Surrey Pub Guide, 1997

 

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