Tales of the Urban Explorer: The New Inn

Having done one sweep of Stoke-On-Trent, it was time for the second weekend trip down to Staffordshire. On this occasion, @lpff did not join us but provided some pins, one of which was 'The New Inn', a very dodgy-looking pub that looked very worse for wear when viewed on Google Maps.

This one was a little off the beaten track, north of the pottery city and so it made for our first visit.

I see the local residents have been complaining about this eyesore for some time. What residents? It’s in the middle of nowhere.

As recently as 2020, ‘The New Inn’ looked respectable albeit closed up. What we saw on arrival was far from this image. Things had taken a dramatic turn for the worse.

Source , Source

The New Inn in Longston near Leek dates back to at least 1817 and apparently, by 1846 it was used as a lodge by the United Ancient Order of Druids. The druids still met at the New Inn in 1876, by which time it had 103 members.

Source

Druids and Wizards? We have had it all in England, as well as Witchfinders who sought out and burned those evil ladies alive at the stake. I was expecting to feel some of that old witchcraft as we arrived but instead discovered some nosey fucker intent on watching what we were doing.

I think he was a hiker waiting for his buddies to arrive, but he couldn’t stop gawking at us, looking for a way into ‘The New Inn’. We disappeared through some straggly brambles and into a field behind the old pub, and from there it was plain sailing.

From the outside, we had no clue about access, but the cover image tells it all. You can't expect something this remote to be closed up for long unless you install alarms and cameras.

It's goodbye to your property I'm afraid. Live there or you have just a few years before it's totally wrecked and useful for nothing, besides us derp explorers.

Before the obvious access point, the roof could have been another way in. It's unnecessary in today's world, that is if 'The New Inn' still actually exists.

After climbing through the once was window, the bar was directly in front of us, complete with tinsel (again).

Times had been poor for 'The New Inn', and it was looking distinctly anything but new, especially the far right corner, which collapsed a little more when we approached causing @anidiotexplores to jump out of his skin.

I couldn't help but try and suppress a laugh. This generally does not happen but when the roof is teetering anything will cause it to collapse a little more.

So the roof (as well as most of the rest) is caving in slightly, it's quite normal for us.

Here's a close-up of behind the bar, with fully intact glass.

It is better to keep your hands away from the bar top as glass of the broken type was freely available in large quantities atop.

It's an optimistic idea but could be a little late to put into practice.

‘The New Inn’ was deceptively small once inside, with a tiny kitchen area housed at the rear which was also dropping to pieces.

There's no getting in or out from this angle, even if you pull those aged boards away, the brown bars will see to that.

We decided to take a trip upstairs. No need to open the door, just duck and walk through what was the door, and then climb onto the other door that replaces the bottom stairs that have disintegrated.

There's no stair rail to ease your journey up, you need to use the wall and walk up that way using your hands and arms until you hit the upper stairs. Things become easier at this point.

Surprisingly, the upper floors did not collapse under our weight. They made pubs very well and to last in the 19th century. Last around five years that is before the upper areas are inaccessible when neglected like this.

There were a few holes here and there, just don’t stick your feet in them.

Besides, wallpaper that was mostly unattached to the walls, it was a little bare up there, but I spotted a book.

Strange that it was the only one in sight.

I don’t believe ‘The New Inn’ was ever a hotel, it was not large enough. The landlord or owner likely lived in the upper quarters.

I could have done with some of that 'Good Food'. Trying the Caustic Soda could have been detrimental to our health, and the kitchen was looking off-limits. I don't think that offer still applies.

The toilet, albeit very colourful was also a bad idea to visit. Our bowels sadly would need to wait a little longer, before emptying.

Going down is always easier; if the improvised door is slippery you can always slide down the last section.

Seeing this notice attached to one of the doors made me think they employed students during the summer months. They would have needed to live close by to make it worthwhile. Most of them don’t own cars.

Down there was the cellar, it was never going to get any better than what you can see.

As per the norm, @anidiotexplorers was flaunting the rules, he does that often and I am surprised the derp anti-smoking cops have not busted him yet.

After one last look at the wrecked bar, we exited out of the broken window, thinking…, well it wasn’t a fail!

Do you like posting your Urbex content and photography for FREE on Facebook and YouTube? I like to get some form of reward for my work and every time I create I do just that. Take a look at The Urbex Community on HIVE.

If you want to keep creating for FREE then ignore what you are reading. If you want to be like me and gain something other than BUGGER ALL for your work then click here and learn about posting on the HIVE blockchain.