ALL OUR Do you have memories of this 200-year-old Thunderbridge inn?
WHO’D HAVE THOUGHT THAT THE WOODMAN INN IN THUNDERBRIDGE WAS CALLED ‘THE WHO’D A THOUGHT IT’ FOR 50 YEARS? LOOKS BACK
opened its doors as an ale house and pig farm at Number 6 Thunderbridge Lane.
Back then it was known as The Butcher’s Arms – quite a departure from the Inn today.
But it wasn’t that way for long, between it’s opening and 1830 the pub went through two transitions.
It was first bought out by a shoe manufacturer, Thomas Chambers, who renamed it the Boot and Shoe. But it soon transformed back into an ale house under the unusual title, the ‘Who’d a Thought It’ Inn. It remained this way for around 50 years!
The ale house then renamed The Woodman Inn by the woodcutter
Nathaniel Hill, who opened the doors in 1880, and remained there until 1888.
For a number of years following, the inn had a stream of different licensees until 1901, when Henry Wickham took ownership.
Henry was the patron until the Second World War, leaving in 1942. His legacy lives on, one of the executive bedrooms was named in his honour.
The next major milestone for The Woodman Inn was the creation of a high-end restaurant by Philip Kirkup. In 1986 the pub changed hands again, to John Rowan who stayed until 1992.
Before the current owners purchased the Inn, Keith Buckley and Channel & Armstrong kept the venue for a lengthy 20 years.
The Woodman Inn’s modern history begins when Leslie Country Inns, owned by Graham and Craig Leslie, took ownership in 2012 and with the help of Lawrence Martin Yates, transformed it into a modern, upmarket venue.
Graham Leslie is, of course, the founder of pharmaceuticals giant Galpharm. When he was on the board at Huddersfield Town he was the main driving force behind the development of what is now the
John Smith’s Stadium.
Over the years The Woodman has grown to include the Bassett Garden named after Alan Bassett, who settled in the old hostelry for 40 years.
During this time, it really made history as it was the first free trade pub to sell Timothy Taylor’s famous ale, Landlord.
Followed closely by the creation of the ‘Thunderbridge Gardens’ venue, which has an elegant Paragon Oak Orangery perfect for drinks receptions, which now leads to the stunning glass marquee.
Now the team has refurbished the downstairs of the original building and the walls are cloaked in the distinctive artwork of Richard Gower.
Mr Yates said: “Richard Gower was an obvious choice. I’ve always loved his work and the new commissions, inspired by our region, really help create a modern atmosphere.”
The once modest ale house has undergone a huge transformation allowing it to now have 19 bedrooms including three idyllic cottages, which have been converted into lovely “home-from-home” spaces.
It also now has a 20-seater private dining room and a large upstairs function room.
The Inn has certainly been a part of many lives over the years, and since its original opening it continues to attract both new and old faces, creating history everyday.
The venue continues to evolve, and through the ages has kept pace with change, which has ensured this celebrated building is still standing. Mr Yates shared that he was grateful for the community and to those who continue to visit the inn regularly, supporting such a historic location.
“Our sincere thanks to everybody who’s played a part in our amazing success story. We couldn’t have done it without you!” said Mr Yates.
The Woodman would love to see people’s pictures from down the decades. E-mail them to hello@ woodman-in.com or use #Woodman200 when sharing on social media.