the Kings Head history

Built in 1810, the King's Head in Hursley was probably named because of the historical link of the village with Richard Cromwell, Lord Protector of England 1658/9.
Through marriage he had become Lord of the Manor of Merdon, of which Hursley is a part. The Cromwell tenure of the manor was not marked by a harmonious relationship with the village.
The King's Head passed into the possession of one Sarah Trodd in 1850. The name Trodd was an old Hursley name dating back to the 13th century when there was a Trodd family living on a hill to the north of the village. Interestingly, the name still survives in Nan Trodd's wood on that same hill.
The publican in 1871 made his own beer from hops grown on the estate, dried in kilns at Standon and brewed in a brew house in Port Lane.
In 1930, the Inn took on a slightly different form when it became part of a national organization, known as The People's Refreshment House Association, which provided food and accomodation to travellers. An early Travel Lodge? It encouraged non-alcoholic drinks but did serve beer during licensing hours. It reverted to being a normal pub in 1952, when Bass Charrington bought it.

The Kings Head is now owned and run by Dave Twynham.