Updated January 2026
Every time we see a landlord listed in a court case, advert, will, property deed or the like we note name and premises. Lots of listings for other pubs that would have been in the Great Marlow wider parish have already been published here, and lots more are in production.
We focus on pre 1940 landlords. Dates next to names are when we have evidence of the person there. They may have been in occupation longer without us finding evidence for any named landlord thus far.
Ferry Boat, originally also sometimes called The Ferry House Inn/ The Ferry.
1829- Pub exists - "The Ferry Public House"
1839-48 John Johnson. Always gave a big dinner for his friends at the pub on Christmas Day. Also hosted an annual Eel Feast. In 1835 its thatched stable burnt down. John left 1848. He died 1849 aged 77. John ran the actual Ferry across the Thames too by 1831.
1859-63 Henry Bitmead and his German wife Marie. She drowned in the river in 1881. The inquest was held in her former pub. Henry fined 1861 for selling short measures.
1871 Thomas Street, who had married the Bitmeads's daughter Marie. Left that year to go to the Black Boy, Hurley. See here.
1871-72 Thomas Hudson Holbrook. He died very soon after he got the license.
1872-77 Henry John Todd.
1881 "Ferry Hotel".
1891 Ferry Hotel - "A very popular popular riverside inn, presided over by Mr Fred Johnson who is well known to most up river men."(Marlow Directory and Guide to the Thames, 1891) It's noted the ruins of the Medmenham Abbey which now form part of the hotel are a distinctive feature. (See below)
Abbey Hotel (see above)
1911 Fred. Johnson.
Dog and Badger
Building believed to be 14th century. We are told that the main Marlow to Henley road next to the pub dates only to the days of the turnpikes in the 1700s. Various dates are suggested for the start of the premises being used as a pub, from the 1400s to the 1700s. Originally it was the Church House for Medmenham - banns for marriage still being formerly read out there apparently in the late 1800s! Nell Gwynne was rumoured to enjoy sitting by the fire there on her visits to Medmenham. A cannonball was found lodged in one of the walls during 20th century restoration work. Probably this was from the civil war as there was fighting in the area at Hambledon and Fawley.
1831 Johnathan Osborn
1832 Jonathan Osborn
1833 James Sawyer, wife Mary.
1845 New brick facing put onto the pub.
1847 T Sawyer [Thomas]
1858-63 James Sawyer as above. Fined 1861 for having a short pint measure.
1866 Mrs Sawyer
1872 Mary Sawyer
1873- an illegal lock in is discovered in the pub. The sound of customers singing and a concertina being played were just something of a giveaway to a passing constable!
1877-82 Alfred Edmund Neighbour (See also the post here). In 1877 Alfred married Emma Sawyer, daughter of James above. (Alfred's first wife was Hannah nee Hoare) Alfred was previously at the Red Lion, Marlow. In 1881 he describes 15 year old son Charles as his ostler and 13 year old daughter Hannah as his barmaid! (Emma Sawyer had been described as a bar maid at around the same age by father James in 1851.) Other son Edward, a scholar, age 10 will in the future run Neighbours beer licenced grocery and general stores in Quoting Square with wife Catherine nee White. Alfred Edmund is the son of Victorian head gardener John Neighbour of Potland's and Remnantz. To read more about John see here
1882-85 William Grant
1885-1901 Frederick Wright. In 1895 the pub was bought by Wethered's Brewery of Marlow. Wright is of course the tenant not owner.
1907 Henry ? Wright. 2. Frederick Wright 3. Frank Richard Searle. Rapid turnover of landlords suggests some difficulty at the pub.
1911- William Alfred Jarvis
1933 -1940 (at least) John Nye.
C1959-1983 Sonny Kirby assisted by his two daughters. He retired to Dorset in 1983.
For similar posts about pubs in Great Marlow, Little Marlow and Hurley see Pub Related on the menu here.
List of 100+ Great Marlow beershops, alehouses, pubs, inns etc see here
For more Medmenham related posts see this index
All mentions of someone on this blog can be found in the A-Z Person Index which can be found on the top drop down menu. Thousands of people get a mention.
Researched by Charlotte and Kathryn Day.
©Marlow Ancestors. You are very welcome to use this research for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog.
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