The public House was known as “The Bell” until it was changed relatively recently, when a new tenant decorated the dining room ceiling with hundreds of pottery jugs, thus renamed The Olde Jug. The jugs were still there when the pub closed in July 2009. Built in the 17th century it has since acquired a porch and side addition. The licence would probably have been for ale and cider originally. The pub has been serving the village continuously until the summer of 2009 when the liquidators were called in and the pub closed. It was bought in 2012 by Ian Tring who has completely refurbished the building. Inside what was two rooms, the bar and separate dining area, has been returned to it’s original layout of one room. The pub is expected to reopen in 2013 having been closed for almost 4 years. An extension is planned to provide a larger dining area. It was re named “The Bell”
The following are extracts from various records about the names of pub keepers in Hardwick from 1700.
Burial Elizabeth, wife of Hugh Miller, alehouse keeper buried 28 September 1700
Burial Hugh Miller alehouse keeper 27 October 1700
Baptism Henry of Sarah and Thomas Levins, victualler of Hardwick 13 November 1709
Burial Elizabeth of Thomas Levens victualler Hardwick July 1711
Burial Sarah wife of Thomas Levens victualler Hardwick 18 March 1714
Burial Thomas Levens victualler of Hardwick 30 June 1734
Baptism Sarah of William and Elizabeth Duncombe victualler Hardwick 1735
Burial Elizabeth Levens widow 28 November 1742
Notes for Inns 1753 – 1828 relating to Hardwick hostelery
1753 – 76 No Sign Robert Howes (or Hawes)
1777 – 79 No Sign John Simmonds
1780 His House John Simmonds
1781 – 82 No Sign John Simmonds
1783 3 Horseshoes John Simmonds
1784 – 1817 Three Horseshoes John Simmonds
1818 – 19 Three Horseshoes John Stevens
1820 – 26 3 Horseshoes Anne Simmonds
1827 Horse Shoe Joseph Watkins
1828 3 Horseshoes Joseph Watkins
Hardwick landlords in Kelly’s Directory and census
1841 Census Thomas Tattorms
1847 Kelly Bell Nathan Burnham
1851 – 1897 The Bell Inn John How Seamons
In November 1898 John’s widow Anne How Seamons married William Willans Kirtland of London
1899 – 1901 The Bell William Kirtland
1903 – 1912 The Bell Treadgold Brattan
1915 – 1920 The Bell John Grove
1924 – 35 The Bell Ernest C Cook
1939 Bell Inn George H Baker
Kelly’s Directory was published every 4 years. The date ranges above may pre or post date occupancy.
A PUBLICATION OF 1862 HAD THE FOLLOWING EXTRACT UNDER “HISTORY OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE”