The White Hart - 1897.


Dates from 1655 - Built by John Peck.
King Charles II had breakfast here 27th September 1671, stopping on route to Yarmouth. 
It seems he was treated by the Rt. Hon Lord Cornwallis.

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1825

Once had a sign created by John Fairchild that straddled the road.
It cost £1057 in 1655. Apart from a White Hart, it included carved figures of Diana, Actaeon with angels, Neptune, Justice, Lions and several other figures, one of which acted as a weather vane. It was depicted in an engraving by C. J. Richardson in 1825. The sign was removed c1850, being considered dangerous.
One reference (H. G. Anderson, 1933) gives the destruction of the sign as c1803, at the same time as a large bed from within the inn was removed - said to have been capable of accommodating 30 to 40 persons.

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Harwin Martin advertised a Match of Cocks to be held during July 1733.

He was described as an Innholder and was maliciously reported according to an account dated 8th March 1740.

In June 1740, Mr. Martin offered "As Pieces of Antiquity and Beautiful Edifices ought not to moulder into Dust, and for want of Observation be buried in Oblivion, (he is) therefore being willing to perpetuate to Posterity the Form of the Noble and Curious Pile of Building, which is now perishing in Ruins, Two Prints of the same carefully engraved, on Two Large Copper Plates, from Two Drawings taken on the Spot by Mr. Joshua Kirby, Painter in Ipswich; the other the Sign at Large, Drawn to a Scale of a Foot in half an Inch, together with a Description of the same..... Upwards of 2000 prints being subscribed and are to be disposed of at 2s the Two"

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 Harwin Martin held a Main of Cocks on Monday and Tuesday, 11th and 12th December 1749.
The Cocks were not to exceed the Weight of four pounds eight ounces, and to fight in Silver weapons.
Mr. Martin also offered a Reward of Two Guineas to any person who could lead to the conviction of those who had stolen a "tawny ginger Stag" from him on 10th January, a "ginger Stag" from Mr. Legriff's in Thelton on 17th February, a "mottled pian'd ginger Cock" from John Straings of Scole on 28th February, also the same night, from the Lime-Kiln in Scole, a "red dun Cock", also from George Balls of Gissing, a "Polecat-black Stag", and on 13th September, an "orange-ginger Cock" from Mr. Brunnings, on Walkers Green, Diss.
 
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Thomas Barker, formerly at the Kings Head, Diss, announced July 1791 that he had entered the SCOLE INN.

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Norfolk Chronicle 1st & 8th  February 1794
SCOLE INN
To be Sold By Auction - Monday 10th February 1794.
Consisting of:-
Kitchen, bar room, pantries, larder, 5 parlours on the ground floor, a spacious dining room and twelve good rooms upon the second floor and attics, with four good cellars and wine vaults. Also stabling with haylofts for 40 horses, three chaise houses, 3 granaries and other convenient outbuildings, with a large extensive yard. Also a garden containing half an acre, two parts walled round, well planted with fruit and herbs and two paddocks or enclosures of rich land adjoining.
`The situation of this inn renders it most eligible and certain for the road business being nearly an equal distance from Norwich, Ipswich, Bury, Beccles and Thetford and the mail and stage coaches pass and repass daily to and from London to Norwich, through Ipswich and Bury. Mr Thomas Barker proprietor (retiring).

George Smith advised 3rd May 1794 that he had taken the Inn and laid in a choice Stock of Old wines and other Liquers.

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Morgans sales for 1960 were :-
Barrels of beer 170
Spirits 272

One of only 18 Norfolk public houses recommended by the Egon Ronay pub guide of 1969.

Known as the SCOLE INN.

It was announced Friday, 15th December 1978 that the Scole Inn was under completely New Proprietorship and to a much higher standard.
Greene King and Adnams Ales on sale.

Grade 1 listed building.
Today offering full hotel facilities.


One of the fireplaces.