Historic photographs
The Three Horseshoes sits in the heart of Bubbenhall — a village recorded as “Bubenhalle” in the Domesday Book (1086). Over the centuries the village has evolved around its manor and farms, and the pub has long been part of that story.
Today, The Three Horseshoes is a place to eat, drink, meet and stay — with a warm welcome, seasonal food, and comfortable rooms.
The Three Horses is situated in the historic Warwickshire village of Bubbenhall. The earliest recorded instance of the name of the village is “Bubenhalle” in Domesday Book (1086). This shows that the village existed for some time before 1086 although no documented evidence has been found. The most likely explanation for the place name is that it means Bubba’s Hill. Bubba is a fairly well recorded personal name in Anglo-Saxon times.
In 1420 the lord of the manor, John Beauchamp, was created a baron by Richard II
In 1460 the lord of the manor was the Duke of Buckingham
A separate manor existed until 1717, when Bubbenhall became a joint manor with Baginton under the lordship of the Bromley family (subsequently the Bromley-Davenport family, when the Bromley line died out and these manors went to cousins.). The whole estate was then sold up in 1918.
It is possible that The Moat, latterly divided into two cottages, in Lower End (demolished about 1970), was originally a moated farm or the manor house. Some time after 1809 the present Top House the last large old house on the left-hand side going out of the village on the main road to Ryton – appears to have been built as the Home Farm of the manor of Bubbenhall.
William Pisford was a grocer, Mayor of Coventry in 1500, and founder of the almshouses known as Ford’s Hospital, Coventry. In 1528 William Wigston purchased five cottages and land in Bubbenhall as a form of endowment for the almshouses. These were the cottages, now mainly rebuilt or extended, starting next to the Three Horse Shoes and continuing down that side of the centre of the village, as far as and including The Cottage. They belonged to Ford’s Hospital until the late 19th century. The charity was also endowed with lands in Coventry, Foleshill, Keresley and Weston under Wetherley.
Whilst Baginton has its 500 year old oak tree, the Three Horseshoes was once famous for having a massive walnut tree. A report from the mid-1960s suggested that the tree had the widest spread of branches in Warwickshire. Mrs. Plant, wife of the licensee, told a journalist that she had seen at least 16 horses sheltering under it at the same time. The tree was cut down but was replaced with another walnut which remains to this day.
A little about us: In 1528 five cottages and land were purchased in spring hill, Bubbenhall as a form of endowment for the almeshouses known as fords hospital in Coventry which had been founded by William Pisford. In 1823 two of the cottages were leased to Thomas Waldon, Yeoman and in 1845 these were described as of horseshoes brewer, and are now the three horseshoes.
Whilst Bagington has its oak tree, the Three Horseshoes was once famous for having a massive walnut tree. A report from the mid-1960s suggested that the tree had the widest spread of branches in Warwickshire. Mrs. Plant, wife of the licensee, told a journalist that she had seen at least 16 horses sheltering under it at the same time. The tree was cut down but was replaced with another walnut which remains to this day.
1889 An accident, terminating fatally, occurred to Mrs. Ward, of the Three Horse Shoes Inn, Bubbenhall, The deceased, aged 47, was the wife of Arthur Ward, an iron fitter, who worked at Coventry, and returned home to the Three Horse Shoes, Bubbenhall, at the end of the week, Mrs. Ward looked after the business in his absence. On Wednesday evening a customer came in for some gin, and the deceased took a jug upstairs to fetch it. She carried a paraffin lamp in her other hand. Upon coming downstairs she slipped and fell, both the jug and the lamp breaking. The spirit ignited, running all over her head and face. William Sutton, a labourer, of Bubbenhall, who was sitting in the kitchen, at once went to her assistance, pulling off his coat, and with it extinguishing the flames. In doing so he burnt his left hand badly. Medical assistance was procured from Wolston, but she died three days later of her injuries.
By the early 1900’s The pub was acquired by Hunt Edmonds and co, untill the 1930s where it was acquired by Bass (Mitchell and butler). The bass brewery portfolio was brought by punch pubs a company established in 1997. There were changes to the three Horseshoes after this. It was extended, refurbished, The function room at the back was demolished and the bedrooms were built. Following some complex financial moves by Punch pubs over the next few years 1900 pubs owned by punch were taken over by Heineken 2015. The Three Horseshoes had several landlords during the punch ownership and subsequently until 2019 when it became vacant.
It has now been taken over by Star Pubs and Bars, who are part of Heineken and provide support for refurbishment. The new look Three Horseshoes is leased and run by John Thorpe and Ashleigh Spence and opened in December 2022.
With a vibrant atmosphere, welcoming spaces, and delicious seasonal food and drink, The Three Horseshoes is the perfect place to relax, unwind, and indulge — whether you're planning a family meal, a mid-week treat, or a celebratory gathering with friends.