Pubs O

Oblivion - Grimshaw Street.

The Old Black Bull - Friargate. In 1818 the landlord of the Old Black Bull broke all records by growing 1440Ibs of potatoes in a garden less than ten yards square. Potatoes were a high yield crop and many people were fascinated by them.

The Old Bull - Church Street. Was originally known as the White Bull then the Bull Hotel and gained the name the Bull & Royal when it amalgamated with the Royal Hotel which was next door.

In 1869 Preston Grasshoppers were formed at a meeting at the Bull Hotel.

Prior to 1850 the Bull (Hotel) was the centre of Tory activity at election time with the Liberals using the Red Lion across the road for the same purpose. Extremely large crowds used to gather at election time and the tory candidates could harangue the public from the upstairs rooms.

In 1847 this was the site of a clash between Tory and Liberal supporters, when the Tories tore down Liberal Flags and carried them in triumph to the Bull, fighting became widespread and the cobbles of Church Street were torn up and used to attack the Bull.

In 1820 Henry Hunt the 'Hero of Peterloo' and radical reformer stood as an independent candidate in Preston but ended up with the smallest number of votes. In the fiasco that followed windows in the Town Hall were smashed. The Mayor of the time read the Riot Act but was stoned by the angry crowd and had to clamber over the wall to escape to the safety of the Bull Hotel Court Yard.

In the Battle of Preston in 1715 the Pub was used as the hospital of the Jacobite Rebels.

Old Brittania - Long since gone, was on the site of what is now Greyfriars.

Old Dog - Church Street. This is a pub with a history dating back to the 17th Century. The pub was the birth place of Methodism in Preston when in 1776 its Landlady Mrs Walmsley became friendly with the first Preston methodist, Martha Thompson, who attended meetings but not in Preston. Mrs Walmsley and her son were converted to the faith and allowed methodists to use one of the rooms at The Old Dog for their services.

The Old Vic - Fishergate. Formerly the Vic & Station.

'Ole In'th Wall - Fylde Road. Was originally known as the Princess Alexandra and in recent times as the Tap & Spile. Is now residential accommodation.

O'Neill's - Friargate.