LISTED BUILDING · NHLE 1270303
The White Lion Public House
SO55NW ETNAM STREET 808-1/4/143 (North side) 24/07/54 The White Lion Public House (Formerly Listed as: ETNAM STREET (North side) White Lion Inn)
House, now inn. C16, with C19 addition. Timber-frame and plaster; painted brick; Welsh slate roof with small central gable; 4 brick stacks with paired chimneys. (East front) 2 storeys; 3-window range: C18 three-light casements and, to right, C20 2-light casement.
Dates and uses reflect the source records and may not describe the building today.
Designation information
Inclusion in the National Heritage List for England confirms that this is a designated heritage asset of national special architectural or historic interest.
People and businesses through time
HISTORICAL ADDRESS RECORD
Through time, The White Lion Public House
1 of 5, 16th century
Drag, swipe or use the arrow keys to select a date.
About these records
2 historical addresses linked to this NHLE entry. Directory entries can describe a workplace or premises use rather than a residence.
- 133 Etnam Street, Leominster
- White Lion p.r., Etnam Street, Leominster
16th century
ConstructionBuilding construction
Estimated date recorded by the current NHLE building entry.
SourceNational Heritage List for England, NHLE 1270303
Estimated construction date drawn from the NHLE list summary.
Architectural evidence and features
These descriptions relate to particular parts of the building at the date of each source. They may not reflect its use or condition today. Unconfirmed features remain open questions.
Evidence reviewed 13 September 2026.
Documented type / function
- House; inn at description date
Principal identity with historical and subsidiary uses explicitly separated
Early 16th century perRCHME; 18th century casements; 19th century addition; 20th century alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270303
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Documented phases
- Early 16th century perRCHME; 18th century casements; 19th century addition; 20th century alterations
Source-specific phases, not administrative dates
Early 16th century perRCHME; 18th century casements; 19th century addition; 20th century alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270303
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Structural system
- Timber frame
Principal 16th century house
Early 16th century perRCHME; 18th century casements; 19th century addition; 20th century alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270303
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Cladding / finishes
- Plaster
Framed fabric, infill substrate unspecified
Early 16th century perRCHME; 18th century casements; 19th century addition; 20th century alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270303
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Paint
Brick
Early 16th century perRCHME; 18th century casements; 19th century addition; 20th century alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270303
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
External wall material
- Brick
Painted portions
Early 16th century perRCHME; 18th century casements; 19th century addition; 20th century alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270303
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Roof covering
- Welsh slate
Principal roof
Early 16th century perRCHME; 18th century casements; 19th century addition; 20th century alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270303
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Chimneys
- Brick
Four stacks with paired chimneys
Early 16th century perRCHME; 18th century casements; 19th century addition; 20th century alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270303
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Architectural features
- Small east central gable
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Early 16th century perRCHME; 18th century casements; 19th century addition; 20th century alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270303
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Casement windows
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Early 16th century perRCHME; 18th century casements; 19th century addition; 20th century alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270303
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- 20th century glazed entrance
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Early 16th century perRCHME; 18th century casements; 19th century addition; 20th century alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270303
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Moulded bressumer partly underbuilt right
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Early 16th century perRCHME; 18th century casements; 19th century addition; 20th century alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270303
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Curved jetty brackets
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Early 16th century perRCHME; 18th century casements; 19th century addition; 20th century alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270303
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Right-side loft door
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Early 16th century perRCHME; 18th century casements; 19th century addition; 20th century alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270303
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Boarded opening
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Early 16th century perRCHME; 18th century casements; 19th century addition; 20th century alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270303
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Gable prentice board
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Early 16th century perRCHME; 18th century casements; 19th century addition; 20th century alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270303
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Left-side shallow first-floor and gable jetties
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Early 16th century perRCHME; 18th century casements; 19th century addition; 20th century alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270303
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Exposed rear timber frame
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Early 16th century perRCHME; 18th century casements; 19th century addition; 20th century alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270303
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Rear outshuts
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Early 16th century perRCHME; 18th century casements; 19th century addition; 20th century alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270303
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Small jetty shafts with moulded capitals recorded1934
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Early 16th century perRCHME; 18th century casements; 19th century addition; 20th century alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270303
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Moulded ceiling beams recorded1934
Only named component/phase in term and supporting description
Early 16th century perRCHME; 18th century casements; 19th century addition; 20th century alterations
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Historic England, NHLE entry 1270303
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Painted brick additions; Exposed timber-pattern frame; White panels including visible painted brick infill in right framed range; Slate-form roofs; Gables; Casement windows; Tall brick stacks; Lean-to roof; Entrance porch; Pub signage; Surface cables
Visible principal subject only
Supplied capture date 2026-07-26, not independently authenticated
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Leominster Heritage photograph LH-IMG-000134
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Timber joinery appearance
Casement window frames only, species not identified
Supplied capture date 2026-07-26, not independently authenticated
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Leominster Heritage photograph LH-IMG-000134
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
- Pub signage
White Lion advertising in photograph, no independent verification of trading
Supplied capture date 2026-07-26, not independently authenticated
Supported with qualification
Source and context
Leominster Heritage photograph LH-IMG-000134
Applies to the named part at the source date, with the uncertainty stated. Current use and survival today have not been confirmed.
Research notes and uncertainties
Component, chronology and current verification: Possible former northward projection is not extant feature. NHLE interior uninspected, RCHME beams document1934 condition. Paired chimneys and plaster must retain component limits. Current use/survival not independently verified for September2026.
Early 16th century perRCHME; 18th century casements; 19th century addition; 20th century alterations [Source-specific phases, not administrative dates; Early 16th century perRCHME; 18th century casements; 19th century addition; 20th century alterations] Source chronology, administrative and reused-material dates separated. Possible former northward projection is not extant feature. NHLE interior uninspected, RCHME beams document1934 condition. Paired chimneys and plaster must retain component limits.
Explore records with these reviewed features. Results may concern only part of a listed group and retain their source-date qualifications.
How this record is evidenced
The designation, listing date and statutory description are drawn from Historic England, NHLE 1270303.
Current survey photographs dated 26 July 2026 record the publicly visible fabric and features shown on this page.
The building has been cross-referenced to the Royal Commission's 1934 Herefordshire inventory. The full matched extract and its cited illustrations are reproduced below with links to the digitised source.
The concise summary and searchable feature tags have been prepared by Leominster Heritage and are kept separate from the statutory wording.
The open questions below identify evidence that has not yet been securely established.
Map location
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The White Lion Public House
Grade II · Early C16 perRCHME; C18 casements; C19 addition; C20 alterations [Source-specific phases, not administrative dates; Early C16 perRCHME; C18 casements; C19 addition; C20 alterations] · SO55NW ETNAM STREET 808-1/4/143 (North side) 24/07/54 The White Lion Public House (Formerly Listed as: ETNAM STREET (North side) White Lion Inn)
House, now inn. C16, with C19 addition. Timber-frame and plaster; painted brick; Welsh slate roof with small central gable; 4 brick stacks with paired chimneys. (East front) 2 storeys; 3-window range: C18 three-light casements and, to right, C20 2-light casement.
Current survey photographs
Documentary evidence
Historic England; RCHME: Herefordshire: 125 (138), PL
Royal Commission inventory, 1934
This earlier inventory records the building as it was understood at the time of survey. Its terminology and interpretation should be read alongside the current NHLE entry and present-day observation.
Read the Royal Commission inventory extract
RCHME CROSS-REFERENCE 1
Leominster, monument (138), p. 125.
a (138). White Lion Inn (Plate 143), at the bend of the road, 120 yards E. of (137), was built early in the 16th century and has a modern gable on the E. side and modern additions on the W. It may have once projected further to the N. The timber-framing generally is exposed and the upper storey projects on the E. side and S. end on curved brackets and small shafts with moulded capitals; the bressummers are moulded; the S. gable also projects on two curved brackets. At this end the first floor has been partly under-built and the bressummer is covered by a fascia-board. Inside the building, the middle part formed a single room with moulded ceiling-beams forming four bays from N. to S. and three from E. to W. The S. part, also formerly one room, has similar but rather more elaborately moulded beams. The rooms above also have moulded ceiling beams.
Referenced illustrations
Official list description
LEOMINSTER SO55NW ETNAM STREET 808-1/4/143 (North side) 24/07/54 The White Lion Public House (Formerly Listed as: ETNAM STREET (North side) White Lion Inn) GV II House, now inn. C16, with C19 addition. Timber-frame and plaster; painted brick; Welsh slate roof with small central gable; 4 brick stacks with paired chimneys. (East front) 2 storeys; 3-window range: C18 three-light casements and, to right, C20 2-light casement. Central entrance: C20 glazed door; to right, 3-light casement; two 2-light casements; moulded bressumer, underbuilt to right, on curved brackets, over. Right returned side: loft door and boarded opening under prentice board to gable. Left returned side: tier of 3-light casements; shallow jetty to 1st floor and gable. Rear: exposed timber-framing; outshut. C19 rear wing with outshuts. INTERIOR not inspected. (RCHME: Herefordshire: 125 (138), PL.143). Listing NGR: SO5013158968
Sources and further reading
Open questions
- What evidence can establish the sequence and date of the building’s principal alterations?
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