A Brief History of the Railway Tavern.
Situated in Sands Lane Hunmanby, North Yorkshire. The Railway Tavern began life as a small holding back in the 18th century. It is situated adjacent to the railway line in Sands Lane (sometimes known as Depot Lane).



With the coming of the railway in 1845, Whitakers had purchased the brickyard, and a coal depot was established (now Wilcocks coal yard). Both these establishments accessed onto Sands Lane almost opposite the Tavern. Workmen would leave these two places of employment and seek refreshment (usually liquid). The farmer running this small holding (the Tavern) obtained a license to sell beer, and thus the Tavern came into being. References in the baptisms of Hunmanby refer to a child born at the "New Inn". As this was the late 1850 s it is assumed that this refers to the Railway Tavern. It is quite likely that the original frontage was added about this time. During World War One a camp field was set up further down Sands Lane, holding 5000 soldiers. These soldiers no doubt made good use of the Tavern. It continued as a beer house until 1952, when a spirits license was granted.

Butlins Holiday Camp opened in 1945 and with relatively little entertainment in the camp complex itself, hiking parties were organised on fine days. They would hike down Sands Lane calling in at the Tavern for refreshments, before continuing back to the camp via Raikes Close (the eastern exit from the village). This continued for a short while during the 1946 holiday season, until more on site entertainment signalled its end. Moving into the latter part of the 20th century, a Mr Harold Buttery played mine host in the fifties, followed by Charlie Moorland. The writer can remember the procedure when entering the Tavern around this time, one would sit down in a small room whereupon Charlie would appear, take your order, then return with it on a metal tray. After passing a few pleasantries with you he would disappear leaving you to enjoy your drink. The room itself was sparsely furnished, just a few seats to sit on and very little else in the way of decor. One would depend on other customers to make conversation should any more join you. As a rule these types of places generally had just two rooms, a bar and a front room (or lounge). The front room would usually be utilised on a weekend, by men who would more often than not treat their wives to a Saturday night out. In 1976 Mr Bernard Duckworth purchased the Railway Tavern, his father in law owned a local building company, Stanley Marshall Builders. The Railway Tavern then underwent major alterations, and modernisation. The two aforementioned bars were re- developed and enlarged, a huge extension was constructed at the rear, housing a cabaret/function room, that contained, probably the largest bar in any of the village pubs. A late drinking license was applied for (successfully) and the Tavern became one of only two places (locally) where a drink could be bought outside the recognised licensing hours. The Bell Vue Hotel at Filey being the other place, unless of course one was prepared to travel to Scarborough or Bridlington. These improvements, which also included the establishing of Hunmanby Bowling Club (now situated across the road), went on to establish the Tavern as a major attraction in Hunmanby, late night music, cabaret, the odd appearance of some well known celebrities such as Ken Dodd and Bernard Manning attracted people from miles around. Bernard being a local man himself, built up a good clientele, made up of many familiar village names. John Norris manned the door of the cabaret (function) room for many years, Eric Shephard, Stan Pilmoor, Herbert Allinson, Mick Moore, Eddy Micklethwaite and Gerry Thompson are just a few of the names that come to light when remembering this period. However after many years of continued success and popularity Bernard moved on. Mr Graham Blackburn then took over and continued to enjoy the same success for a number of years, before moving to Filey to take over The Three Tuns Hotel in Murray Street. The Railway Tavern meanwhile, then went through a period of decline and various setbacks. During this time the cabaret/function room was at one point used as a saleroom and an indoor market venue amongst other things. Its ownership passed through many hands and various changes took place concerning its operation. A restaurant was added and named Shunters, the large room was redecorated and restyled and the Tavern was re-launched as an eating out venue with entertainment. However this did not take off as expected and with the continued unruly behaviour of some people using the back room (which had become a problem) this became one of many ventures that failed to re-establish the Tavern. Other revamps took place, again meeting with little success. The Railway Tavern was eventually taken over by Viking Leisure from the Humberside area, and was leased to various landlords, until the present landlord, Mr Mick Baron who himself has spent many years in the licensed trade, also in the Humberside area acquired the lease and ran a well established business with the emphasis on dining out and Sunday lunches. The restaurant is now a Chinese restaurant and takeaway, serving Pekinese and Cantonese Cuisine named Hoo City. However in 2002 Mick decided to retire, and the Tavern was acquired by Mr Jim Peel a former landlord of the Veterinary Arms (see Veterinary Arms). During extensive alterations, which are still on going, Jim has kept the Tavern open to all the regulars who like himself will no doubt be looking forward to the new era of the Tavern when all improvements and building work are completed.