Yorkshire Stingo

Yorkshire Stingo

Westminster City Archives

Shillibeer's Omnibus

Westminster City Archives

Poster promoting Grand Summer Fete, Yorkshire Stingo 31 July 1837

Westminster City Archives (Ref: A12A6263)

Copy of a plan of the Yorkshire Stingo tavern and bowling green taken from an 1847 conveyance

Westminster City Archives, copied by JH Ahern (Ref: A12A6262)

By Georgina Colbeck

The Yorkshire Stingo Inn was a public house in Marylebone, London, apparently named after a very strong ale of the time. Dating back to at least the 1600s rumour has it that Samuel Pepys was a frequent visitor to the public house during 1666.

For over a century, around the 1700s, it was known as a House of Entertainment. It also held an annual May Day Fair which ran for several years before it was surpressed by the Magistracy due to the multitude of disorderly characters becoming a nuisance to the inhabitants of the vicinity. According to records written around the time it became a ‘respectable tavern’ after this.

Known for its entertainment, the Apollo Saloon opened at the ‘Stingo’ in 1839. The sole proprietor was Mr. Allen and he hosted a full programme of theatrical entertainment with regular changing performances, commencing at 7 ‘o’ clock every evening. A variety of shows were offered, including instrumental, vocal , operatic and ballet performances. Gentleman were admitted for a fee of one shilling whilst Ladies and children could enjoy the entertainment for sixpence.

On 4th July 1829, a Mr. Shillibeer started the first of two omnibuses in the metropolis. For the price of a shilling, passengers could travel from the Yorkshire Stingo in Marylebone to Bank in the City, attended to on the journey by conductors renowned for their courtesy. According to local residents of today it remained an important travel interchange, not only serving London but also the national network, right through to the time of its closure in 1964.