Caroline Dix was listed as running a beerhouse
- illegally?!? - in 1890. An unsuccessful attempt to
obtain a (full) licence had been made as early as
August 1887.
A similar application, a year later, was withdrawn.

A beerhouse licence was eventually transferred from
the Bird in Hand, King Street on 11.10.1898**
Caroline Dix presided until at least 1904.

C. E. Tillett took over the licence in July 1916.
He may have fallen in WWI, as Emma Tillett was
in charge from May 1917, and her husband is
not listed thereafter.

Some subterfuge seems to have occurred when
Walter Hardy became licensee on 10th October 1922.
This was precisely when full licences transferred from :
Norwich Restaurant, St. Giles and Beehive, Palace Plain.

Continued . . .

But Emma was back by the 28th November, and stayed
in post until May 1932. Hardy had been, in fact,
the landlord of the 'old' Beehive since June 1893.

It is anybody's guess what name the beerhouse
traded under, during all the period from 1887 to 1922.

Circa 1975, when it was a Courage house
(selling Director's) the pub became virtually
the H.Q. of CAMRA Norwich branch.

**All in all, it seems more plausible that the
    Bird in Hand closed in 1888,
    rather than 1898 (as recorded).

The pub was formerly the North Farm Tea House.

Licence transferred from Sons of Commerce,
Thorn Lane - 5th April 1940

The Norwich Society Survey in 1986 states that the
original buildings date from the 17th Century.

The two cottages were combined by 1940.

The original pub building was therefore of
considerable length : which is evident from its
exposed position on the corner of the
Outer Ring Road and South Park Avenue.

The depth of the building, too, has always been
considerable; and, in recent times, extensions
have been made at the rear, including
a large conservatory for dining purposes.

The name of the pub is related to
the author George Borrow.

Licences transferred from :
Kitchener's Arms, St. Peter's Street
and Wheatsheaf, Bethel Street - 5th April 1928

Frederick William Page took over the new pub
on that date.
He appears to have died just before
the outbreak of WWII.
His widow Sarah Elizabeth served from
July 1939 until April 1949.

This was one of two Watney's houses re-branded
as Host Group pre-1984, the other being
Gate's Beerhouse.
In each case some 60,000 pounds were expended.

A photographic record can be found in :
YCY Brewery : Coronation Souvenir 1937, page 75.
A photo of the inn-sign is also shown on page 72.