JUNE 2025

The Queen’s Head (79 Market Street)

An Inn called the Angel stood on this site in 1648 (and probably long before). All traces of it have now

disappeared after many improvements and alterations.

The name ‘The Queen’s Head’ was transferred from an Inn of that name which stood where Centivo

Lounge (formally HSBC bank) now stands to 79 Market Street building. The original Queen’s Head

building was also a posting house with stabling lower down the street.

The current Queen’s Head building was one of Ashby’s major coaching Inns and the venue for most

of the dinners and functions of the early 1800’s. In 1813, Dinners were held at the Queen’s Head

and White Hart to celebrate a victory over Napoleon. A bullock and 4 sheep were distributed to

different ale houses (44 were fed at The Queens).

In 1870 Samuel Love (The Queen’s Head Innkeeper and local Farmer) was advertised in Harrods

Business directory as ‘Wholesale and Retail Wines and Spirits. Post-master and Omnibus

Proprietor, Agent to the Midland Railway Company for the delivery of parcels. Inland Revenue

Office'. Samuel Love also built Cliftonthorpe (formerly ‘Ivanhoe House’ ) in the 1870s so he could

look out and see his beloved Queen’s Head. Samuel also built Old Park House and died in 1877.

The Queen’s Head is a Grade II Listed building and still retains its covered side entrance which was

the comfort of those alighting from coaches in the rain as the archway led to the stables! The 1899

photo shows that today’s black and white mock timber work on the front of the Inn is purely

cosmetic. The Business currently offers a variety of amenities, including bars and a nightclub and was

refurbished by the Kang family (owners) in 2022 and is currently managed by Alex Stanley.

The Queen’s Head is a significant part of Ashby de la Zouch’s heritage, offering a glimpse into the

Town’s history through its architecture and continued operation as a pub and nightclub.

The Queen’s Head Landlords/Inn Keepers

1802 Thomas ward (Inn Keeper of the Angel)

1814 William Wilkins (previously worked at Old Queens Head)

1822 Thomas Shaw (stated intention to enlarge premises)

1828 Thomas Shaw (also Maltsers)

1841 Thomas Shaw

1849-51 William Mills

1861-71 Samuel Love (Innkeeper and Farmer 180 acres)

1881 Boden (Innkeeper and Farmer)

1891 William Ragg

1896 & 1899 Alfred Stimson (also tax office and auctioneer) who then lived at 13 Ivanhoe Terrace,

where you will see a brass plaque ‘Stimson House’ on the door

1925 A Tipton

1936 & 1941 Laurence Tipton