Old Harlow & Mulberry Green: A Rich History for Ghostly Tales

The Ancient Foundations

Old Harlow, where The Green Man Hotel stands proudly on Mulberry Green, represents the historic heart of Harlow, with roots stretching back to before the Domesday Book of 1086. This area has witnessed continuous habitation for over a millennium, creating layers of history that naturally give rise to the folklore and ghostly tales that define the region today.

Mulberry Green itself, originally known as Mudborrow Green, emerged as one of the key focal points around which medieval Harlow developed, alongside the marketplace and the ancient church. The name ‘Mudborrow’ reflects the rural, agricultural character of early Harlow, whilst its evolution to ‘Mulberry Green’ speaks to the area’s gradual transformation and the planting of mulberry trees that may have adorned the village green.

The Coaching Inn Era

Early Establishment

The Green Man was established as a coaching inn possibly as early as the 14th century, making it one of the oldest continuously operating hospitality establishments in Essex. Historical records suggest that a monk journeying to London dined at a Harlow inn for four pence in 1444, quite possibly at The Green Man itself. This early reference highlights the inn’s role in providing sustenance and shelter to travellers from its earliest days.

By the 17th and 18th centuries, Mulberry Green had evolved into a crucial stopping place for travellers on the major routes connecting London with East Anglia. The Green Man served coaches travelling to destinations including Dunmow and Bishop’s Stortford, establishing itself as an essential link in the expanding network of English coaching routes.

The Golden Age of Coaching

During its prime in the 18th and early 19th centuries, The Green Man handled an impressive volume of traffic. Historical records indicate that the inn managed “five coaches every Tuesday to and from London,” highlighting its importance as a regular staging post. The inn’s strategic location on Mulberry Green allowed it to serve multiple routes, connecting Waltham, London, Dunmow, and Bishop’s Stortford.

The daily rhythm of the coaching era would have been intense and bustling. Coaches would arrive with horn blasts announcing their approach, passengers would disembark for refreshment and rest, whilst fresh horses were harnessed and tired ones led away to rest. The inn’s staff would have worked tirelessly to serve meals, prepare rooms, and ensure the smooth operation of this vital transportation hub.

The Supporting Infrastructure

The Blacksmith’s Forge

Central to The Green Man’s operation was the presence of a blacksmith’s forge adjacent to the inn. This forge, historically documented and essential to the coaching trade, provided vital services including horseshoeing, wheel repairs, and the maintenance of metal components crucial to horse-drawn transport. The blacksmith would have been a key figure in the community, working closely with the inn to ensure coaches could continue their journeys safely.

This forge takes on particular significance in local folklore, as it features prominently in the legend of the Bereaved Mother. The historical presence of this workshop lends credibility to the ghost story, as it provides the authentic setting where the tragic affair between the unnamed woman and the blacksmith supposedly took place.

Competition and Commerce

The Green Man faced competition from other local establishments, including The George Hotel, as multiple inns vied to serve the lucrative coaching trade. This competition drove innovation and improvement in services, leading to better accommodation, finer food, and more efficient operations. The rivalry between inns also fostered a spirit of community pride, as each establishment sought to represent the best of Harlow hospitality.

Architectural Heritage

The Listed Building

The Green Man’s architectural significance is reflected in its status as a Grade II listed building. The exposed wooden beams that visitors admire today are of such historic importance that they have been specifically protected by heritage legislation. These timber frames represent centuries of craftsmanship and provide a direct link to the medieval builders who first constructed the inn.

The building’s evolution over the centuries reflects changing architectural styles and the growing prosperity of the coaching trade. Later additions and modifications were carefully integrated with the original structure, creating the charming blend of medieval and Georgian features that characterise the inn today.

Neighbouring Heritage

The area around Mulberry Green was home to several other notable buildings that contributed to the district’s historic character. The Grade II listed Mulberry Green House, a late 18th-century structure with distinctive red brick construction and bay windows, stood as a testament to the area’s prosperity during the coaching era. Tragically, this building suffered serious fire damage in 2000, though it was later sensitively converted to luxury accommodation, preserving its essential character for future generations.

Community Life and Social History

The 18th Century Context

The 18th century, the period most closely associated with The Green Man’s primary ghost story, was a time of significant development for Harlow. The town was establishing itself as more than just a rural village, becoming a proper market town with substantial coach traffic along the Newmarket Road. This era saw local industries flourish, including malting, which took advantage of the area’s agricultural produce and transport connections.

Social hierarchies were strictly maintained during this period, creating the conditions that might have led to the tragic circumstances described in the Bereaved Mother legend. Unmarried mothers faced severe social stigma, whilst illicit relationships could result in devastating consequences for those involved. The presence of a bustling inn, with its constant flow of travellers and temporary residents, would have provided both opportunities for romance and settings for tragedy.

Community Celebrations and Traditions

Mulberry Green served as more than just a transport hub; it was the beating heart of community life in Old Harlow. The green itself hosted numerous local events, fairs, and celebrations that brought together residents from across the area. In the 1920s and 1930s, the green was the site of annual carnivals featuring traditional games and entertainment.

One particularly colourful tradition involved “climbing a greasy pole to win a leg of mutton,” a challenging feat that would have provided both entertainment and a valuable prize for the successful competitor. These events helped maintain community bonds and preserved local traditions even as the coaching era gave way to the railway age.

Sporting Heritage

The adjacent Green Man Field holds special significance in local sporting history, as it was here that Harlow Town Football Club played their inaugural match on 8th October 1879. The team achieved a memorable 1-0 victory over Saffron Walden, marking the beginning of organised football in the area. This connection between The Green Man and local sport reinforces the inn’s role as a community focal point that extended well beyond its commercial functions.

The Railway Era and Beyond

Adaptation and Survival

The arrival of the railway at Harlow in 1841 marked the beginning of the end for the coaching era, but The Green Man successfully adapted to changing circumstances. Rather than declining, the inn reinvented itself to serve the new patterns of travel and leisure that emerged in the Victorian era. The building’s historic character became an attraction in itself, drawing visitors who appreciated its authentic atmosphere and connection to England’s coaching heritage.

Modern Recognition

Today, The Green Man stands as one of Essex’s finest examples of a preserved coaching inn. Its Grade II listing ensures that future generations will be able to experience the atmosphere of the coaching era, whilst modern amenities allow contemporary visitors to enjoy comfort alongside history. The inn’s embrace of its ghostly legends, including the commemorative plaque that acknowledges the haunting, demonstrates how folklore and history can coexist to create a rich cultural heritage.

The Tapestry of Legend

The combination of centuries of human drama, the constant ebb and flow of travellers, the intimate stories of local residents, and the very fabric of this ancient building creates the perfect environment for folklore to flourish. The Green Man’s ghostly tales emerge naturally from this rich historical context, reflecting the genuine human experiences that have unfolded within its walls over seven centuries of continuous operation.

Whether one believes in the supernatural or not, the legends serve as a bridge connecting us to the very real joys and sorrows of those who lived, worked, and travelled through Mulberry Green in centuries past. In this way, The Green Man serves not only as accommodation for modern travellers but as a living museum of English social history, where the boundaries between past and present seem remarkably thin.