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Water Street range, Chesterton

5 – 11 (5) (16) Water Street, Chesterton / Green Dragon

History of 5 - 11 Water Street, Chesterton

Water Street c.1928 (Cambs Collection)

According to Alison Taylor, Cambridge The Hidden History p. 122:

The earliest building [in the Water Street area] is the Green Dragon, built in the 16th century but probably serving traders at the fair from much earlier. Edward Ward’s pamphlet about Sturbridge Fair published in 1700, mentions ‘the Black Bull, where the Country Chapmen generally lodge that come to the Fair, for the sake of rare strong humming Ale, for which ’tis famous; over which they get Drunk, Quarrel, and make Bargains.

Royal Commission Survey of Cambridge 1959: range of four tenements, the ‘Green Dragon’ inn, Nos. 7, 9, 11 Water Street ….. has plastered timber-framed walls and tile-covered roofs. It was built in the 16th century, with two wings on the back; additions have since been made beside and on the ends of the wings. The building is of note as a timber-framed range of the 16th century.

1851

William Essex, publican

1861

Ephraim Mansfield, publican

1869 Alfred Carter (Post Office Directory)

1871

Ephraim Mansfield

Green Dragon pub and ferry, 1879

1879 Jacob Holmes (Kellys)

1881

Jacob Holmes

1883 J Holmes (Kellys)

1891

George Hall

1892 Geo Hall (Kellys)

1896 Walter Chappell Rayner (Kellys)

1901 (16)

John Fordham

1904 John Fordham (Kellys)

1913 (16) J Fordham (Cambridge Directory)

1916 John Fordham (Kellys)

Green Dragon, Chesterton in 1928 (Cambs Collection)

1939 (5)

Walter Shelley, b 1883, licensed victualler

Hetty, b 1884

1963 Green Dragon

The following are postcards of ‘The Green Dragon’ supplied by J H Baker:

Green Dragon c. 1906

1906 reverse of postcard above

1907 Green Dragon and Varsity Crew

Green Dragon

The Green Dragon ferry

Old Chesterton postcard

Old Chesterton ferry

Green Dragon, Chesterton

Green Dragon, Water Street, 1971 (MoC33A/71)

Green Dragon, Water Street, 1971 (MoC33B/71)

Green Dragon, Chesterton ©RGL2023

 

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