The Red Lion | Whitworth

What is now known as Whitworth includes the old villages of Healey, Hallfold, Tonge End, Facit and Shawforth. In 1700's Whitworth square and the immediate surrounds was Whitworth! At that time there were several public houses serving the needs of the inhabitants, The Red Lion is the sole survivor.

Whitworth square became nationally known following the arrival in 1764 of John Taylor from Yorkshire. He was a vetinary man but quickly started to use his skills on sick people and mending broken bones. His use of local herbs became legendary and patients travelled from afar to be treated. On one occasion he travelled to attend Elizabeth, the daughter of King George III. Whitworth Cottage, next door to the Red Lion was used as his hospital. John Taylor died in 1802.

The Taylor family continued to practice for several further generations. In 1819 the family treated a young boy named Cambpell Tait who went on to become no less than the Archbishop of Canterbury. The family vault is just a few yards away from the Red Lion front door. Since 1529 there was a chapel on the Rake adjacent to the graveyard but this was taken down around the mid nineteenth century. Much of the masonary and other materials was used to build another public house to be known as the "Whitworth Arms". Many people were outraged at the use of chapel materials being used to build a public house and it is rumoured that on the anniversaries of it's opening the rains came to show the wrath of God.

In 1847 the Corner Stone was laid for the existing Church on the hill, St. Bartholomews. It is said that one of the Gargoyles on the church is modelled on an old tramp who apparently watched the construction of the church every single day.

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