Updated by Charlotte November 2025
This was an ancient building, originally adjacent to the medieval St Thomas Hospital and no doubt originally used as part of it.
Originally called the White Horse, however be warned there was also formerly a White Horse in West Street too (mid 1700s to probably about 1792).
A cellar in West Street near Quoting Square went with the pub despite the distance between them.
1797- as the White Horse, bought by the Langton family.
1809- landlord John Bunce. See here for more on him.
1819 - Robert Mossenton takes over from an unknown individual as landlord the premises and calls it the Greyhound not the White Horse but for some years people still use the old name as often as the Greyhound. Robert fits it up in a "genteel manner" He runs The Accommodation coach to London via Little Marlow, Maidenhead, Burnham and Slough. To see the price of a seat on his coach see this Marlow cost of living post. A full listing of historic coach services in Marlow is here. Robert faced bankruptcy that year but managed to recover. He was also a horse dealer.
1820 - hosts a performance from the ventriloquist Lee Sugg "calculated to rub off the rust of care". A lit candle will be placed in front of his mouth to demonstrate how little air comes out as he "speaks". He is accompanied by those offering recitations, songs and anecdotes.
1823 - The Favourite coach to Aldgate, London also stops at the Greyhound. Via Bisham, Pinkneys Green, Maidenhead and Taplow.
1824 - Robert Mossenton/ Mossington.
1825 - William Bowles who had come from the Six Bells. Mrs Bowles dies this year.
1828- Langton's sell it to the Wethered family brewers.
1830 - William Bowles
1834 - W Bowles.
1836 - Arrives July. Henry Hyatt. "Former gamekeeper for Lord Camoys" For information on a major fraud case in which he was a witness see this post.
1839 - Henry Hyatt "St. Thomas Street"
1842 - Henry Hyatt takes on fellow cricket enthusiast Mr Brooks the baker at a one on one cricket match at the Crown Enclosure (now Riley recreation ground). Such contests were all the rage at the time. Brooks won so Hyatt had to meet the costs of a handsome dinner (at the Greyhound naturally) for the pair and their friends. Both are described as "gentleman remarkable for their athletic form, activity, and skill in that manly exercise" of cricket. (Windsor and Eton Express September 1842) More on his cricketing antics here
1844 - Hyatt has twice weekly carrier service to Henley and Wycombe - "The Waggon". The Van, running same route also stops here (Loftin's Van).
1847 - Henry Hyatt* Henry bravely voted against the political interest of his landlord, the Wethered family, voting instead for the Liberal candidate, Clayton. It is said that the Conservative supporter tried to evict Henry thereafter, and the story of Henry's outrageous treatment is hard to read - find out more here
1848 - Henry Hyatt leaves, George Abbott takes over. A biography of George is available here
1852 - Omnibus leaves from here to meet trains at Maidenhead, and a separate service goes to Windsor to meet South Western trains there.
1853 - George Abbott ("Greyhound Inn") In 1855 a silver spoon is stolen from the premises. The enterprising thief William Brangwin breaks it up and tries to sell the bits but is caught and sentenced to 3 months hard labour. He plead guilty.
1861 - George Abbott
1863 - Mary Ann Abbott
1869 - Mrs M A Abbott "Commercial inn and posting house"
1871 - George S Abbott
1876 - George Abbott dies age 27, wife Jeanette briefly takes on licence in own name.
1877, 78 - Job Palmer
1880 - Job Palmer 2. Thomas Haydon Wills/Willis
1881 - Thomas Haydon Wills (born Axminster, Devon according to census).
1882 - Mr Wills. In January Thomas' wife Charlotte Amelia had died at the Greyhound age 56. 2. Ephraim Sheppard. Thomas Wills accuses fisherman William Humphrey Shaw of using the "most foul disgusting and blasphemous language" when they refused to serve him - on account of drunkenness and prior bad conduct. Shaw is forcibly ejected and subsequently fined for refusing to quit a licensed premises. One of many brushes with the law for this particular Mr Shaw! Biographical post on him here
1883 - Ephraim Sheppard ("Greyhound Commercial Hotel"). "That excellent and reasonable charging hostelry" - The Angler, November 1883. Biography of Ephraim is available here
1891 - Ephraim Sheppard (born Rudgewick,Sussex). Billiards is a big draw here in 1890s, with London professional players coming down to show off their skills and start the season in 1897. Ephraim was a big supporters and fundraiser of the cricket club at Marlow too.
1903 - Ephraim Sheppard leaves.
1903 - R.A. Ashby "Greyhound Hotel". Runs into financial difficulty.
1904 - E A H Winfindale, manager of the George Hotel, Halstead is reported as the person going to take the hotel on but I have not found evidence he actually did so, so this is a "maybe".
1905 - Frederick L Jackson takes over in November.
1906 - Frederick Lemairs (Lemars) Jackson. He went bankrupt, so all stock in trade put up for auction on premises. Includes furniture from 11 bed and sitting rooms, and a nearly new billiards table. Says trade was very bad. Claimed to have been told by a the brewers agent that the Greyhound should generate an income of £100 a week in the summer but he'd managed to generate only £12-14. Had paid £500 to brewery as an entry fee, which was very common then. 2. C H Yates.
1907- 1.) William Wilson 2.) Mr and Mrs Willoughby
1908- 1.) Mr and Mrs Willoughby. 2.) John Henry Yates a clerk at the brewery managed the business for the brewery as no tenant could for a while be found. He lived off site which contravened the Beerhouse Act and magistrates said this could not continue. Brewery thought classing the business as a hotel not pub made them exempt from the requirement for a licensee to live on site 3.) J.H Browne.
1909 WR Browne. Pub already has a motor house for customer cars, as well as accommodation for cyclists. Billiards table.
1911-12 William Robert Browne. Has a German waiter Ludwig Aubke, born Munster. In 1912 William sued the organiser of "beanfeast" party who had dined at the Greyhound but not paid. They left after complaining that they were not being given enough food. He was awarded most of what he asked for. Evidence was given in court by James Mayne, the waiter, and Lily King waitress at the Greyhound. The diners had thrown jelly and meat about the room and dumped their jackets on his piano all of which William Browne said was not unusual behaviours for beanfeasters.
1915- Grace Hards (Mrs)
1921 - Grace Hards
1925 -Mr B J Garrington. He hosts dances here quite often.
1926 - Arthur Brown. Paid £800 to come into the business.
1927 Arthur George Brown. "Ye Olde Greyhound Hotel". Family and commercial hotel. Luncheons offered. Motor garages and stabling available. Full sized billiard table and large hall to let for dances and parties.
Above image courtesy of Michael Eagleton with thanks.
1931 - Arthur George Brown. Forced to close by local authorities aiming to limit the number of licenced premises in the area. They say it has become outdated as a hotel, and the front rooms are too cramped. Arthur naturally disagreed as he is happy with the trade he is doing and does actually have practical experience of managing with the so called impossible front rooms. They do acknowledge he has spacious dining, club and billiard rooms out the back and more accomodation for guests than the Chequers hotel in town. The lodge room was "very fine indeed". Arthur says he caters for many parties and provides many meals to visitors. But it makes no difference. Even it's detractors say it was in "many respects a beautiful old house, many of the rooms having fine old beams".
Researched by Kathryn Day and Charlotte Day.
©Marlow Ancestors.
For a full list of Marlow pubs and beer houses from the past, see our listing here. For more detailed information on each, use the Pub Related option on the menu. We have extensive landlord listings gathered over a long period which will be uploaded gradually.
Related Posts:
There are posts on this blog about individual families associated with certain pubs, as well as on individual pubs themselves so have a look at the Pub Related index here & don't forget the Person Index for all mentions of someone on this blog. Find it on the top drop down menu.
Posts about historic residents and businesses in Spittal Street and neighbouring streets here
More beer sellers than bakers -Temperance in Marlow here
Lists of posts about everyday life in old Great Marlow here
SOURCES
1853 Mussons and Cravens Commercial directory, published by Mussons.
Wills, property deeds and sale notices research.
1833 Parish Assessment
Pigots Directory 1830, 1831,1844
Robson's Directory 1839
Census 1861,1871,1881,1891
Kelly's Post Office Directory -1859, 1863,1877,1899,1907,1911
South Bucks Standard February 15 1907 and September 6th 1912 held at British Library and accessed via the BNA.
Windsor and Eton Express, 5 & 12 September 1819, 6 August & 15 October 1820 as above.
