This week we ran one of our most popular walking tours, writes Paul Harding, of Discover History, and delivered a talk on the same topic – Secrets of the Ale House.

They both look at the old pubs and breweries in Worcester. Some are still serving pints. Some have sadly been demolished and others no longer serve alcohol and have been repurposed to ensure the building's survival.

Standing proudly opposite the Guildhall is Costa Coffee, in what could be described as a fine example of a Georgian building, rendered, painted and with large sash windows. Outside on a small plinth sits a regal Lion, a Golden Lion.

The Lion has been greatly missed by Worcester people, including us, ever since it fell off during a bad storm back in 2019.

The carved wooden Lion lost its head and had to be carefully repaired. It’s recent return was therefore greeted with great joy.  

This Georgian-looking coffee shop holds many secrets. The main secret is that it is much older than Georgian. In fact, it’s a Medieval building that dates back to the 14th and 15th century.

It’s a fine example of a Merchant’s House, that survived two sieges of Worcester, the storming of the city during the Battle of Worcester and the wrecking ball in the 1960s,

The original look of the building was three storey, jettied and with three Bays, including a large hall and extensive cellars. Being a port city most buildings had large cellars. It’s these large cellars that have created the legend of the tunnels under Worcester.

An Inventory measuring 13ft by 6in was discovered in the 1980s, confirming the building was owned by wealthy merchants. John Walsgrove (alias Flynt or Fleet) owned it in the 1550s.

Unfortunately, the building was remodelled numerous times in the 17th century.

John Coucher owned the property at this time and was one of the ‘24,’ who helped bring a new Charter to the City in 1621; a Charter that boosted the importance of Worcester and created the post of Mayor.

The building is literally overflowing with history and went on to become a well-known Inn called the Golden Lyon. The spelling was later changed to the more familiar- Golden Lion.

George Youngs’ map of Worcester of 1779 shows an alleyway called the ‘Golden Lion Passage’.

This ran alongside the building linking the High Street to the Shambles.

A set of iron gates, that still stand today, were erected in the 19th Century to close the passage when required. Further alterations were made to this beautiful building around this time.

In 1846 the building was described as an ‘old - established Market House and Commercial Inn.’ Good stabling, a haunt for Policeman and being full of political chatter have all been mentioned in its long history.

It is believed that in the 1900s, the well-loved and much-missed carved wooden Lion was added to the rather plain frontage. By the 1990s this carving needed some repair work.

Having been made of wood, it sat in fully exposed to snow, wind, rain and ice 365 days of the year!

All of which took its toll and eventually led to it disappearing from its perch in more recent years.

In 1986 the Inn sadly closed and this led to a major restoration project by the well-known, Freddie Charles, who had overseen many projects on Worcester’s timber-framed buildings.

Apart from the spectacular, internal timberwork, it is worth visiting what is believed to be the original death mask of William Guise, located in the old passage outside.

William was a city tailor who was faithful to Cromwell and the Parliamentarians in 1651. Worcester is not as faithful as it likes to make out!

A replica death mask is more accessible and sits in the main part of the coffee shop.

This is another example of how old buildings can be repurposed and is now complete with its Golden Lion.