The Hind’s Head: From Coaching Inn to Modern Heritage Pub

The 17th Century Foundation

The Hind’s Head stands as a testament to over three centuries of English hospitality, its origins deeply rooted in the golden age of coaching travel. Built circa 1650 during the Commonwealth period, this Grade II listed building emerged during a time when England’s road network was experiencing unprecedented development and the coaching trade was becoming increasingly sophisticated.

The original structure was conceived as a coaching inn, strategically positioned in Aldermaston to serve travellers on the increasingly important routes connecting London with Bath and the West Country. The location was carefully chosen, offering not just convenient stopping points for coaches but also access to fresh water, fodder for horses, and the essential services that made long-distance travel possible in the 17th century.

The architectural style of the original building reflects the transitional period between medieval timber construction and more modern building techniques. Built with solid construction that has endured for over 350 years, the inn incorporated features essential for coaching operations: large stable areas for horses, spacious yards for coach manoeuvring, substantial kitchens capable of serving multiple guests simultaneously, and accommodation areas that could house travellers of various social standings.

Names Through the Ages: The Evolution of Identity

Throughout its long history, The Hind’s Head has operated under several different names, each reflecting the changing times and ownership patterns that characterised English hospitality establishments. The building has been known as The Pack Horse and The Congreve Arms before adopting its current name, creating a fascinating linguistic journey through English pub nomenclature.

The name “Pack Horse” reflects the era when much of England’s goods transportation relied on pack animals traversing routes unsuitable for wheeled vehicles. This name suggests the establishment’s early role in supporting the complex logistics of pre-industrial commerce, where strings of pack horses carried everything from wool and cloth to manufactured goods and personal possessions across England’s challenging terrain.

The transformation to “The Congreve Arms” indicates a period when the establishment aligned itself with local gentry or military connections. The Congreve name carries significant historical weight, potentially connecting the inn to the famous military family that produced Sir William Congreve, the artillery expert who developed the Congreve rocket during the Napoleonic Wars. This naming pattern was common among English inns seeking to attract custom through association with respected local families or military heroes.

The current name, “The Hind’s Head,” derives from the coat of arms of the Forster family, who held prominence in the Aldermaston area for over two centuries. The choice of this heraldic symbol reflects the inn’s integration into the local social and political structure, demonstrating how hospitality establishments served not merely as commercial enterprises but as important components of community identity.

The Forster Family Connection and Literary Heritage

The Forster family’s influence on The Hind’s Head extends far beyond simple nomenclature, creating connections that reach into English literature and cultural history. The family maintained prominence in the Aldermaston area for more than 200 years, establishing roots that would eventually produce one of England’s most celebrated authors.

E.M. Forster, the renowned novelist whose works include “A Room with a View,” “Howards End,” and “A Passage to India,” claims descent from this local Forster family. This literary connection adds significant cultural weight to The Hind’s Head’s historical significance, creating a tangible link between a local coaching inn and the broader currents of English literary achievement.

The inn’s recognition of this literary heritage is evident in its room naming conventions, with several accommodations bearing names inspired by Forster’s novels. This thoughtful integration of literary and local history demonstrates how modern heritage establishments can honour their past whilst creating meaningful connections for contemporary visitors. The rooms named after Forster’s works serve as a subtle but constant reminder of the inn’s place within broader cultural narratives.

The Forster family’s long tenure in the area also suggests the stability and continuity that characterised English rural society for centuries. Their prominence would have provided The Hind’s Head with important patronage and protection, ensuring its survival through the various economic and social upheavals that affected English hospitality establishments during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Lock-Up: Justice, Tragedy, and Historical Significance

Behind The Hind’s Head stands one of its most historically significant and architecturally important features: a small, Grade II listed lock-up that tells a compelling story of local justice, community responsibility, and tragic consequences. This red-brick structure with its distinctive domed roof represents an important aspect of English legal and social history that extends far beyond its association with the inn.

The lock-up served as Aldermaston’s village jail, a common feature in English communities where local magistrates needed secure facilities for temporarily detaining minor offenders, disturbers of the peace, and those awaiting transport to larger judicial centres. These local detention facilities played crucial roles in maintaining order in communities that might be days away from county courts or major prisons.

The building’s construction demonstrates the practical considerations that governed local justice facilities. The small size - approximately 7.5 feet by 6 feet internally - provided just enough space for temporary detention whilst minimising construction costs and maintenance requirements. The studded door with its iron grille allowed for ventilation and monitoring whilst ensuring security, representing centuries of accumulated knowledge about effective detention facility design.

The lock-up’s historical significance extends beyond its architectural importance to encompass notable detentions that illustrate the social tensions of different eras. In the 16th century, Francis Parkyns was jailed in the facility during a dispute with the Forster family, demonstrating how local power struggles could result in temporary imprisonment. This incident illustrates the complex relationships between prominent families and the sometimes arbitrary nature of local justice.

However, it was the tragic events of 1865 that would define the lock-up’s place in history and mark the end of its active use. The death of a man detained for drunkenness, who perished in a fire he had lit to keep warm, represents one of the most poignant tragedies in Aldermaston’s recorded history. This incident reflects the harsh realities of Victorian justice and the vulnerability of those who found themselves on the wrong side of the law.

The decision to cease using the lock-up following this tragedy demonstrates the impact the death had on the local community and authorities. The building’s immediate retirement from active service suggests that the community recognised both the moral and practical implications of the incident, choosing to abandon the facility rather than risk similar tragedies in the future.

The Railway Era and Changing Functions

The arrival of railway transportation in the 19th century fundamentally altered The Hind’s Head’s role within England’s transportation and hospitality network. The Great Western Railway’s development of the London-Bristol line, with its connections through Reading and Swindon, effectively bypassed the coaching routes that had sustained establishments like The Hind’s Head for two centuries.

However, rather than decline into obsolescence, The Hind’s Head successfully adapted to serve the changing needs of Victorian society. The establishment transformed from a coaching inn primarily serving travellers in transit to a local pub and hospitality centre serving the growing residential population of Aldermaston and surrounding villages.

This transition period saw significant changes in the inn’s operations and clientele. Where coaching inns had served a constant stream of transient visitors with standardised needs for accommodation, food, and horse care, the Victorian-era Hind’s Head adapted to serve local residents seeking social interaction, business meetings, and community gatherings. The establishment became an integral part of village life rather than simply a stopping point for travellers.

The Victorian era also witnessed increased interest in local history and heritage preservation. The Hind’s Head’s obvious historical significance - evident in its architecture, the lock-up, and its documented coaching heritage - began attracting visitors interested in experiencing authentic historical environments. This early form of heritage tourism helped sustain the establishment during the economic transitions of the railway era.

Aviation Heritage and RAF Aldermaston

The 20th century brought unexpected military connections to The Hind’s Head through the establishment of RAF Aldermaston, a Bomber Command airfield that operated from 1941 to 1950. This military presence created new relationships between the inn and the broader national effort during World War II and the early Cold War period.

RAF Aldermaston served as a significant training and operational base during some of Britain’s most challenging historical periods. The airfield’s proximity to The Hind’s Head meant that the inn often served RAF personnel seeking refreshment and relaxation away from military duties. These connections created lasting bonds between the establishment and the aviation community that continue to influence its character today.

The inn’s current display of aviation memorabilia in its dining areas represents more than simple decoration; it constitutes a deliberate effort to honour the memory of those who served at RAF Aldermaston and the crucial role the airfield played in national defence. This memorabilia includes photographs, uniforms, equipment, and documents that help tell the story of military aviation in Berkshire.

The integration of aviation heritage with the inn’s existing historical narrative demonstrates how heritage establishments can evolve to encompass multiple historical periods whilst maintaining their essential character. The aviation displays complement rather than compete with the coaching heritage, creating a more comprehensive historical experience for visitors.

The relationship between The Hind’s Head and RAF Aldermaston also illustrates the continuing importance of hospitality establishments in supporting military personnel. Just as the inn had served travellers and merchants for centuries, it adapted to serve the needs of aircrew and ground personnel during one of the most critical periods in British history.

Architectural Evolution and Historic Preservation

The Hind’s Head’s designation as a Grade II listed building recognises its exceptional architectural and historical significance within the English heritage landscape. This listing places the establishment among England’s most important historic buildings, requiring that any modifications preserve its essential character and historical integrity.

The building’s survival for over 350 years demonstrates both the quality of its original construction and the care successive generations of owners have taken to maintain its structural integrity. The 17th-century building techniques employed in its construction - solid masonry walls, traditional timber framing elements, and durable roofing materials - created a structure capable of withstanding centuries of use and weather.

Recent conservation efforts have carefully balanced historical preservation with modern operational requirements. The installation of contemporary amenities such as updated plumbing, electrical systems, and kitchen facilities has been accomplished without compromising the building’s historical character. This sensitive approach to modernisation ensures that The Hind’s Head can continue operating as a commercial establishment whilst preserving its architectural heritage.

The preservation of original features throughout the building provides visitors with authentic historical experiences increasingly rare in modern Britain. Original fireplaces, timber beams, traditional windows, and period architectural details create an environment that genuinely reflects the establishment’s coaching inn heritage.

The lock-up’s separate Grade II listing in April 1967 recognises its individual architectural and historical importance. This dual listing arrangement acknowledges both the main building’s significance as a coaching inn and the lock-up’s importance as an example of local justice architecture, creating comprehensive protection for the entire historical complex.

Modern Heritage Tourism and Community Role

In the 21st century, The Hind’s Head has successfully positioned itself as both a heritage destination and an active community pub, demonstrating how historical establishments can serve multiple functions whilst preserving their essential character. The establishment attracts heritage tourists interested in experiencing authentic historical environments whilst continuing to serve local residents as a social and cultural centre.

The inn’s approach to heritage tourism emphasises authentic historical experiences rather than artificial period recreation. Visitors encounter genuine historical architecture, documented historical narratives, and preserved artefacts that provide genuine insights into English coaching inn culture and local history. This authenticity distinguishes The Hind’s Head from less historically significant establishments that attempt to recreate rather than preserve historical experiences.

The establishment’s community role continues traditions that stretch back to its coaching inn origins. Local societies meet in its facilities, community events utilise its spaces, and residents gather for social interaction in patterns that echo centuries of English pub culture. This continuing community function ensures that The Hind’s Head remains a living historical establishment rather than a historical museum.

The integration of modern technology and communication with historical preservation demonstrates how heritage establishments can adapt to contemporary needs whilst maintaining their essential character. Online booking systems, modern kitchen equipment, and contemporary communications infrastructure enable efficient operations whilst remaining largely invisible to visitors seeking historical experiences.

The Enduring Legacy

The Hind’s Head’s three-and-a-half-century history represents a remarkable story of adaptation, preservation, and continuing relevance in English hospitality and heritage. From its origins as a coaching inn serving travellers on England’s developing road network to its modern role as a heritage pub honouring local history and community traditions, the establishment has successfully evolved whilst maintaining its essential identity.

The building serves today as a tangible connection to centuries of English social, economic, and cultural history. Visitors can experience authentic 17th-century architecture, learn about coaching inn culture, reflect on the complexities of local justice through the lock-up’s story, and appreciate the military heritage represented in the aviation displays.

The Hind’s Head’s story continues to unfold, with each generation of operators adding new chapters whilst preserving the essential elements that have made it a significant part of Aldermaston’s heritage. In an era of rapid change and development pressure, The Hind’s Head stands as a testament to the value of preserving authentic historical environments whilst adapting to serve contemporary community needs.

The establishment’s future depends on continuing the delicate balance between preservation and adaptation that has characterised its successful survival for over 350 years. As heritage tourism continues to grow and communities increasingly value their historical connections, The Hind’s Head is well-positioned to continue serving both visitors and local residents whilst preserving its remarkable historical legacy for future generations.