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The company (Trumans) owns many large houses, but there are few with as much charm as the Viper, Mill Green, Ingatestone. It is unique by virtue of its name, for it is the only public house in the country named the Viper. Indeed, a letter from the Middle East, addressed to The Viper, England, was received within twenty four hours of posting. The house is situated adjacent to Mill Green Common which is infested with vipers, and this is undoubtedly the reason for the unusual name. [1954] ***
The Viper Public House at Mill Green in Ingatestone, Essex is thought to be of mid-19th century date, and originally appears to have been a pair of cottages, as depicted on the Ordnance Survey Map 6" (1881 edition). On the later map editions of 1896 and 1915, the buildings are identified as the Viper public house, the map locations reading 'Viper (BH)'. This change of use presumably involved alterations to the interior at ground floor level, and subsequently, the addition of single-storey lean-to extensions to both ends of the building. At some stage in the early 20th century, the public house became part of the estate of the Trumans Brewery, which by 1873 had become the world's largest brewer. Between 1917 and 1990, The Viper was managed by two families - that of George Hall between 1915 and 1937 and then by the Beard family up until 1990. Trumans Brewery closed in 1989, and the building became privately owned. Recent research carried out by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) to establish the number of public houses with significant interiors has led to the inclusion of the Viper public house in CAMRA's National Inventory of Public House Interiors of Outstanding Historic Interest. Reopened in 2022 after extensive renovations.
Ingatestone pub history index
The Viper, Mill Green, Ingatestone
The Viper Freehouse
Kindly provided by Colleen
Viper, Mill Green, Ingatestone - in 1954
Kindly provided by Alex Wilkinson
2nd July 2000
Residents at this address
Essex Times.18 March 1868
James Nunn of the Viper beer house, Mill Green Ingatestone was charged with violating the terms of his licence by allowing persons of notorously bad character to assemble in his house.
The house had been conducted by Mr Nunn for eighteen years without a single complaint having been made against him.
Fined 40 shillings and 15s 6d costs.
Essex Weekly News. 01 January 1886
Mill Green, Ingatestone. To Be Sold by Auction by Mr H T Lufkin, on Tuesday next, January 5th 1886, at the Viper Public house, by order of Mr Partridge, who is leaving the house.
The Whole of his Household Furniture and Effects, includung 26 chairs, tables, iron bedsteads, feather beds and bedding, washstands, looking glasses, pictures, chest drawers, easy chairs, bureau, kitchen utensils, tea and dinner services, knives and forks, spoons and other effects.
Sale to begin at Twelve for One o'clock.
Essex Weekly News. 26 July 1889
Ingatestone, Essex. G B Hilliard and Son Will Sell by Auction, at the Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, on Friday, August 9th, 1889, at Three for Four o'clock.
The Valuable Beerhouse with Licence attached, and known as the Viper Inn, situated on Mill Green, Ingatestone, comprising a capital Dwelling House, with lean to cottage, outbuildings, yard and garden; also a Double Cottage and large gardens, the whole containing about half an acre.
Essex Newsman.11 February 1893
Temporary Authority was granted to Henry Bourne to carry on the Viper Inn, Mill Green.
In 1911, George Halls, is at the White Hart Inn, Margaretting Tye, Margaretting
Essex Newsman. 10 April 1915
Temporary Authority was granted George Halls to carry on the Viper public house, Mill Green, Ingatestone.
Essex Newsman. 08 May 1915 Licences Transferred
Viper, Ingatestone, from Mrs Susan Grice to George Halls
1917/George Halls/Beer Retailer/../../Kellys
In 1921 at The Viper, Millgreen, Mill Green, Ingatestone
George Halls, Gardener, J Welland Esqs Furniture Dealer aged 51 years 11 months and born in Ingatestone, Essex
Rose Halls, Wife, General Servant aged 48 years 1 month and born in Chelmsford, Essex
Rosie Halls, Daughter, Out Of Work, Hoffmans Limited aged 25 years 9 months and born in Ingatestone, Essex
Edith Halls, Daughter, Shorthand Typist, Minstry Of Pensions aged 23 years 1 month and born in Ingatestone, Essex
George Halls, Son, Handyman, Patrick Green Builder aged 21 years 9 months and born in Ingatestone, Essex
Henry Halls, Son, Labourer, Patrick Green Builder aged 17 years 6 months and born in Ingatestone, Essex
Gertrude Halls, Niece, Invalid aged 16 years 9 months and born in Ingatestone, Essex
1922/George Halls/Beer Retailer/../../Kellys
1925-6/George Halls/Beer Retailer/../../Kellys
1929/George Halls/Beer Retailer/../../Kellys
1933/George Halls/Beer Retailer/../../Kellys
1937/George Halls/../../../Kellys
Mr & Mrs J G Beard, licensees of the Viper from 1937, in the year of 1954
Kindly provided by Alex Wilkinson
The Viper, Mill Green, Ingatestone in 1986
Brentwood Gazette. 29 August 1986Trying to avoid privacy and cookie settings overwriting content