The Golden Lion

We all may believe that The Golden Lion has always taken pride of place in its current position on the Tipton main street, but this has not always been so In the 1800's the Inn stood on the other side of the street! It was a thatched building and stood where Stanley Cottages now preside. The Inn, as well as being a meeting place, also provided accommodation and was regularly used as the auctionroom for the sales of local property and stock. The Inn was nearly destroyed by fire on several occasions. Unbeknown to Herman Ham, the keeper of the Inn in 1848, he had the makings of a pyromaniac amongst his employees. Servant Ann Browne, started small fires which were found in the cellar and then just after Christmas another blaze was lit by Browne, that spread to the cellars thatched roof. Ann, who was only 15, was found Not Guilty after expressing her remorse In the August of 1896 licence was applied to move the Inn to a new position, as the accommodation at the present Inn was considered insufficient, and for a change of name to The Railway Inn. Only three months later the Inn had been completely destoyed by fire. "About half past twelve on Sunday night (November 1896), a fire broke out in the roof of the The Golden Lion Inn, Tipton St John and quickly resulted in the complete destruction of the premises and the whole of the contents. The occupier (Mr Pring) was luckily insured and the Heavitree Brewery Company, the owners of the premises were also insured, the damage is estimated at about £700. It was at first thought that the adjoining houses would be destroyed, but the efforts of the Ottery Fire Brigade were successful in preventing the flames from spreading. " Exeter Flying Post So the building of the new Inn commenced 'on the other side of the street! and was reopened on the turn of the century. The former site of the Old Golden Lion Inn was sold as a building site in 1902 and two cottages were then built, now known as Stanley Cottages