An old postcard of the Wharf Bridge and the Anchor Inn
(left) the inn and other buildings in a derelict state in 1950
The Anchor Inn was kept by James West between 1847
and 1876. He also sold Coal, Coke, Wood, Slate, Stone.
In 1906 Thomas Middleton was the landlord.
The Inn closed sometime during WWI. In the 1920s it sold non-alcoholic refreshments.
The tall chimneys are at the brickworks. They were demolished at the end of 1914 by a Mr Cook of Irthlingborough.
The taller one was 100 feet high and estimated as 60,000 bricks weighing 210 tons. The other chimney was 70 feet tall.
The Ferry Brick Co. Ltd
was at the foot of Wharf Lane,
close to the river for transport,
and near the old Anchor Inn.
below: one of the kilns
and the Key to the map
right: a brick
below right: the map
The Anchor Inn at Higham Ferrers painted by Arthur Mantle in 1880.
Taken from a copy of the Risdene Echo,
so a likeness to the original painting.
Bathing near the wharf in 1916.
In early February 1919 the Rushden Echo: "skating had taken place in the fields near the Wharf. Although the river had only frozean a little at the edges, the fields were covered with a good solid ice. Gay crowds in large numbers—novices and experts—were skating most of Sunday."
The Anchor Inn and bridge at the Wharf.
The easy access to the river made it a popular bathing place for locals.
