A Stroll Along The High Street

The Three Crowns

We start our visit by coming along Rowhedge Road from Colchester, passing the local branch of the Royal British Legion on Marsh Crescent to the corner of Head  Street and  High Street.  There we find the pub "The Three Crowns" which is situated at the beginning of the High Street.

Continuing our journey we pass a large building on the right which was once part of the administration building of the Rowhedge Iron works.  The site of the Iron Works has now been developed .  

No.3 High Street

Number  3 on the  High Street was the home of the much feared and respected  Customs Collector,  Robert Martin who lived there at the height of the smuggling boom.  Bet he knew if there is a tunnel connecting the Three Crowns with the cottage known locally as "Smugglers Cottage".  Robert Martin lived in Rowhedge  whilst commanding the revenue cutters at Wivenhoe from 1729 to 1741.  Not a lotta people know that.  I note that there is some work going on at the house, but I can not say what is going on.  

We pass Darkhouse lane and as we approach the "Anchor pub" we come to the corner of Regent Street where the Crowsnest shop was once situated and across the road was the White Lion Pub.

This general stores stood on the corner and has been converted into a private house.

This is the "White Lion which was opposite Lion Quay.

Moving further along the High Street and opposite the "Anchor" public house stands, what was until recently, the village Post Office..  The view is  of the Post Office in the 1950's. 

The old village Post Office .

The Anchor public house viewed from the river.

After passing the Anchor, (more views later) we come across a large house on the right that was once the notorious "Ship Inn".  The views shown below are about 10 years apart, the first taken about 1900 and the other in 1910.

This view was from Wivenhoe and taken about 1900.

Albeit 10 years has past not a lot has changed

Continuing along the High Street  we arrive at the London Stores, the Proprietor, Mr Curle, eventually bought the "Ship Inn" and converted it into a private residence.  Vandal!!!!!

A little further along we reach the "Albion" still going strong and incidentally was awarded "Community Pub of the Year" 1999 by the local Colchester newspaper.

London Stores, High Street Mr Curle the proud owner seen here on the right	This is the oldest photo of the Albion showing the Pub and the Albion Quay.  Taken about 1900 but again nothing has changed

This is a quite modern picture, the "Double diamond" signs are the give away but still little changed.

This is an excellent view back from where we have come.   The Anchor is clearly shown against the mighty backdrop of the Iron works.

Strolling  along a little further to the Stephen Cranfield Close, named after a well know Rowhedger who served on the Parich Council for some 50 years.   However, before this was build it was the home of Daniells Brewery. 

As we reach the end of the High Street toward the Black Gate we come across the site of Harris's shipyard which sold out to the Ironworks in 1915  and then eventually closed and became the Colchester Dock Company.

This photo is the oldest in this collection believed to been taken in 1890

Harris's shipyard where some 50 fishing smacks were build followed by large yachts.

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