23/08/2026
๐๐บ IF THESE WALLS COULD TALKโฆ THEYโD HAVE NEARLY 150 YEARS OF STORIES.
Take a good look at these photos. ๐
This is The Cricketers in 1925 โ and yes, it looks VERY different!
But hereโs the brilliant bitโฆ even in this photo, the pub was already old.
Records show The Cricketers was established on Aldershot Road by 1878 โ meaning people have been stopping here for a drink for at least 148 years.
Imagine the conversations this place has heard. ๐ป
In 1891, James Battey was behind the bar. By 1901, Charles Day was the publican, living here with his wife Louisa. From at least 1913โ1918, Jesse Munger was running the place.
Then came a BIG changeโฆ
๐๏ธ In 1935, the old pub you see in this photograph was replaced by the much larger Cricketers we know today, designed by architect Joseph Hill for Hodgsonโs brewery.
By 1937, George C. Wareham was pulling the pints in the brand-new building.
And that strange writing across the old pub?
โCROOKES ENTIREโ
No, the pub wasn't once called Crookes Entire! ๐ โEntireโ was an old brewing term associated with porter, and the wording was b**r/brewery advertising. The actual sign on the right still proudly says CRICKETERS INN.
The pub even temporarily lost its historic name much later, becoming The Black Bison, before The Cricketers returned in 2017. ๐
So next time you're sitting here with a pint, rememberโฆ
Victorian locals drank here.
Edwardian locals drank here.
People celebrated here between two World Wars.
Generations of landlords have stood behind the bar.
And almost 150 years later, we're still here. โค๏ธ
๐บ The Cricketers, Aldershot Road
๐ A local since the 1870s.
And we've got a feeling there are still plenty more stories waiting to be uncoveredโฆ
