Henrietta Margaret Pye (widow) was appointed sole executor by the will of licensed hawker Robert Eagling (died 6:00am 16th April 1885)
His estate included `` £85 in the bank and a book and papers in a box at Rockland''.

Address also as Thatchers Street.

In 1616, Margaret Eden bequeathed the sum of £40 to the Mayor and Corporation in order to secure a yearly return of £3 for the benefit of the poor. A house in Guildhall Yard was purchased which later became the Red Lion. The present house being erected when the old buildings in the Market Place were demolished and the square opened.

Mr. Thomas Man retired from the Inn, September 1814.
His Household Furniture and Fittings were to be Sold by Auction, Friday 24th and Saturday 25th September 1814.

18th November 1831 - Advertised To be Let by Tender for Three Years from 6th April 1832.
Then in the occupation of John Tyler under a Notice to Quit.
Among the conditions of Hire were the undertaking not to take or collect tolls from any person on the Premises or to erect, build or put up any Stall or Standing in the Yard, for profit or otherwise.

Advertised August 1836 to be Let by Tender for a period of seven years from Michaelmas 1836, together with the Tolls arising from the Meat and Vegetable Markets, adjoining the Inn.

Described as Newly-built when offered To Let by Tender on Lease with occupation from 11th October 1843 for Ten years. Then in occupation of Mrs Frances Tyler and including a capital four-stall Stable, loose-box, Coach-house and excellent Outhouses. The Tender to include all Tolls, Dues and Duties arising from the Stalls and Standings in the Market Place and from two-thirds of the Tolls, Dues and Duties arising from the Shambles, there, with privileges arising from the use of the Hall, altogether producing from £20 to £30 per annum.


Offered to let by tender 5th March 1853.
`With capital four-stall Stable, Loose Box, Coach-house and excellent Out-houses, now in the occupation of Mr. S. D. Tyler, whose Lease expires at Michaelmas next. The house is well fitted up with Fixtures of every description, which are the property of the Council, and Let with the House.'

Steward & Patteson were in the bidding for the 10 year lease which was auctioned on the evening of 9th September 1861. Beginning at a yearly rental of £50, Mr. S. C. Bidwell won the auction with a bid of £150.

Mrs Nella Newell was charged 12th December 1864, under bye-laws, of using abusive language to publican Robert Hall on 2nd December 1864. Case dismissed.

The (un-named) licensee of the house was cautioned August 1864 for permitting dancing and allowing his house to be kept open to a late hour. (The Licensing Session had been delayed for some time owing to the difficulty in finding two magistrates to sit. Eventually Mr. Davy of Kilverstone was induced to occupy a seat on the Bench).

Advertised To Let by Auction 29th August 1881.
Occupation from 11th October 1881 for 10 years.
Including all the Tolls, Dues and Duties arising from the Stalls and Standings on the market Place. Also Two-thirds of the Tolls, Dues and Duties arising from the Shambles there.

The Red Lion and Tolls, the Property of the Council of the Borough of Thetford was offered To be Let, by Auction, Thursday 17th September 1891, for a Lease of 10 Years from 11th October 1891.

To Let, for a period of 10 years from 11th October 1901.

Let by the Town Council, for a term of ten years to the existing tenant, T. S. Bidwell, Esq. on Thursday 1st September 1903.
The cost of lease being subject to the new code of byelaws relating to the market and with the Council retaining their public use of stables at the rear of the premises. Bidding for the lease started at £40 per year and was finally awarded to the bid of £94 per year.

In January 1907 the Corporation received tenders for painting the outside of the Red Lion. With quotations at £9 5s, £8 4s, £7 18s and £3 8s, the lowest tender was accepted. (Submitted by Mr. R. C. Lucas).

In May 1908, the quotation of £11 from Mr. Mann,  to build a new cart shed was accepted

To Let, February 1907 with early possession.
Apply Bidwell & Co.

Let to Bidwell & Co. Thursday, 14th September 1911 for the 10 years at £140 per annum.

CLOSED 2010

Reopened July 2012 with new owners J. D. Wetherspoon.
(A reported £1.2 million spent on redevelopment)