The King's Head Public House, Medieval pub in Mardol, Shrewsbury, England
The King's Head Public House is a three-story timber-framed building featuring paired windows with six-light casements and a simple tiled roof. The structure displays characteristic medieval construction details throughout its exterior and interior.
Built around 1404, the structure originally served as the Last Inn, functioning as the final stop on the route from Shrewsbury toward Wales. Over the centuries it evolved into an important social gathering place within the town.
Wall paintings from 1500 showing the Last Supper remain visible inside, revealing how religious art was once part of everyday gathering spaces. These paintings offer a glimpse into medieval life and the role faith played in public houses.
A passage adjacent to the building connects Smithfield Road with Mardol, offering a convenient route through the old town. Visitors should note that this historic area can experience flooding during periods of high water from the nearby river.
Dendrochronological analysis of the timber frame confirms it as one of the earliest surviving pub buildings in the town. This scientific study of tree rings helped researchers precisely date the structure to its construction period.
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