HOLT FLEET INN, Holt

The Holt Fleet Inn stands on the west bank of the Severn at the original ferry crossing point. It once provided shelter and good fare for travellers who were unable to cross when the river was too dangerous. When Holt Bridge was opened and the ferry ceased, the inn entered a new lease of life for, throughout the 19th century, until the 1930s, the old Georgian hostelry and its tea gardens became the most popular resort on the Severn. Holt Fleet was a terminal for pleasure steamer day trips from the Faithful City.

This popularity brought some problem, for in 1901, a local journalist reported that "Holt Fleet is one of the most charming spots in Worcester, and it is sadly to be regretted that its reputation is being ruined by vulgar day trippers. Since the recent freeing of Holt Fleet Bridge from tolls, Black Country people have swarmed there in greater numbers than ever, and their ideal of a day's outing appears to be drunkenness and bad language. More than once, attention has been called to the disorderly conduct and rowdyism which have taken place. Extra police have been engaged, but the same order of things still unfortunately prevails. This summer, the place has been visited by thousands of Black Country people, and their carousals have pained, even disgusted those in search of fresh air and scenes of quietude. Last Saturday, there were disorderly scenes because the police rightly objected to the foul expressions of a drunken dray-man from the Black Country. His more or less drunken comrades took his part, and so excited and angry did they become that one landlord had to close his public house – the Wharf Inn. Eventually, six of them had to be arrested. The County Bench rightly convicted them on Tuesday but inflicted absurdly small fines. Severity is the only way of treating Hooligans."

The first know innkeeper associated with Holt Fleet is James Perkyns, who was presented for licensing at the Quarter Sessions on 23 February 1607.

John Gabb, innkeeper and ferryman, moved to the Fleet from across the river, in Ombersley, in the mid 1740’s. In Holt he was a churchwarden and parish constable on several occasions between 1757 and his death in 1781. His probably had close contact with his fellow innkeeper, Thomas Mates of the Red Lion, for John’s daughter Hannah married Thomas’ son, John, in Worcester in 1768.

Following John Gabb’s death, his son, John, succeeded to the Fleet. In l793 Gabb collected 1d (one penny) for each horse and 1/- (one shilling) for each carriage that crossed, as well as amounts for river hauled goods landed. This must have produced a considerable income, for the rent on this part of his business was fixed at £10 per annum. The public house produced a similar rent. In addition to the ferry and inn Gabb also farmed 15 acres. Thomas Evans followed Gabb in about 1805, until his death in 1828.

Thomas Gardiner was at the Fleet from at least 1828 to 1847. By 1839 the area had increased to 38 acres, and as recently as the sale of 1920 31 acres were included. The Smiths moved took on the Red Lion in 1848, but the man of the house died within twelve months leaving his widow Mary to run the establishment. Mary Smith was still at the Fleet in 1851 and for at least another four years thereafter. She had three sisters, all deaf and dumb, and a brother living-in. All were born in Bromyard. Two of her three servants were also from Herefordshire.

James Moss held the Fleet from at least 1860 to 1876. He also held Wood Farm by this latter date. In 1871 there were five Moss children still at home. The youngest three were born in Holt. Their elder siblings were born in Bromyard, which may indicate a link between James Moss and Mary Smith. Moss had one servant in 1871.

Holt Fleet Inn

By the end of the 1870s Henry H/Bundley had taken over. In 1881 He had a son, three lodgers and a servant living-in. The associated land was being farmed by William Ashmore, once of Hurst Farm. Although ten years later Henry was describing himself as a publican, coal dealer and farmer. Later occupants included Henry Pratt (1896-1900), James Henry Stephens (1904-05), William F Robertson (1911-1916), T B Turner (1920), Edmund Robert Cooke (1924) and George Harold Boulter (1930).