It is unclear where the Clover got its name from, and little can be surmised from the image that adorned its sign, but it harks back to older times - seen by the hats the gentlemen supping their ale wearIt is unclear where the Clover got its name from, and little can be surmised from the image that adorned its sign, but it harks back to older times - seen by the hats the gentlemen supping their ale wear
It is unclear where the Clover got its name from, and little can be surmised from the image that adorned its sign, but it harks back to older times - seen by the hats the gentlemen supping their ale wear

Preston pub sign memories: Here's 24 pictures showing the quirky and sometimes strange signs over the years

Have you ever thought about the history behind some pub names?
By Naomi Moon
Published 8th Aug 2022, 15:45 BST
Updated 15th Sep 2022, 13:24 BST

Preston has played host to a plethora of pub signs through the years, especially considering the city once held a reputation for having a different pub for every day of the year! Pub names depict everything from local folklore, historic events, royalty and notable characters. A simple pub sign can hold the key to a town’s past and when it comes to the history of pub names, each one is different. We’ve dipped into the archives to find some of the best old pub signs that welcome punters to cross the threshold. READ MORE: Long lost pubs of Preston. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: More forgotten Preston pubs. MORE MEMORIES: Popular Preston pubs of the 90s.

The Sumpter Horse pub in Penwortham has a fabulously strange name. The word 'sumpter' originally meant the driver of a packhorse. But later it came to mean the horse itself, and later still it meant the pack carried by the horse. And that seems to be the meaning when the inn took on its name

1. The Sumpter Horse

The Sumpter Horse pub in Penwortham has a fabulously strange name. The word 'sumpter' originally meant the driver of a packhorse. But later it came to mean the horse itself, and later still it meant the pack carried by the horse. And that seems to be the meaning when the inn took on its name Photo: Neil Cross

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In the Victorian ages tanners were found in almost every town. This incredibly smelly occupation saw tanners transforming animal skins or hides into leather. So it is odds on that at least one pub in Preston would honour that traditional job. The trade is clearly shown in this pub sign that used to hang outside the Tanners Arms in Plungington

2. Tanners Arms

In the Victorian ages tanners were found in almost every town. This incredibly smelly occupation saw tanners transforming animal skins or hides into leather. So it is odds on that at least one pub in Preston would honour that traditional job. The trade is clearly shown in this pub sign that used to hang outside the Tanners Arms in Plungington Photo: Ian Robinson

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In this image you can just about make out the sign for the Lane Ends pub at Lane Ends in Ashton. This name seems quite self explanatory with the pub being situated on a busy crossroad in the city. Though the pub could just as easily have ended being called The Crossroads as pub names were often chosen to depict notable in the surrounding area

3. Lane Ends pub

In this image you can just about make out the sign for the Lane Ends pub at Lane Ends in Ashton. This name seems quite self explanatory with the pub being situated on a busy crossroad in the city. Though the pub could just as easily have ended being called The Crossroads as pub names were often chosen to depict notable in the surrounding area Photo: David Hurst

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The Tithebarn pub on Lord Street in Preston. A tithe barn was a type of barn used for storing rents and tithes. Farmers were required to give one-tenth of their produce to the established church. Tithe barns were usually associated with the village church or rectory, and independent farmers took their tithes there

4. The Tithebarn pub

The Tithebarn pub on Lord Street in Preston. A tithe barn was a type of barn used for storing rents and tithes. Farmers were required to give one-tenth of their produce to the established church. Tithe barns were usually associated with the village church or rectory, and independent farmers took their tithes there Photo: Neil Cross

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