The Boars Head Standish
History and Folklore
Standing proudly on Wigan Road at the gateway to Standish, The Boars Head is a cherished Grade II listed landmark and one of the oldest inns in the region — with local tradition even claiming it to be the second-oldest pub in England.
Where legends linger...
Dating back to the 1600s, The Boars Head began life as a coaching inn and traveller’s refuge on the historic Chester - Lancaster route. For centuries, its doors have opened to pilgrims, merchants, and soldiers seeking warmth and rest along the long northern road.
Yet not all who passed through were so welcome. Legend tells of captured highwaymen once held here overnight, chained in the cellar as they awaited their grim journey north to the gallows of Lancaster, the final stop on their road to fate.
Within its oak beams and deep stone cellars, echoes of those stories still linger: the soft whisper of unseen travellers, the creak of a stair in the quiet hours, and a chill that settles just where the firelight fades. Locals still speak of ghostly figuresnear the old billiards room, shadows of the inn’s wilder past that refuse to leave.
and today...
The Boars Head remains true to its roots, a welcoming meeting place steeped in history, folklore, and genuine English hospitality. Whether you’re here for a pint with friends, a hearty meal, a story by the fire, or to enjoy our live entertainment, you’re stepping into a living piece of England’s heritage.
