Sometimes called the ‘Eel’s Foot’, but best known as the ‘Hole in the Wall’, its proximity to the water has made it well-known to Broads holiday makers, prior to its being closed down in 1966, but it still attracts much curiosity, having been the last of the beerhouses in this area.
As an off-licence, beer was obtained through a wicket (opening window) at the rear, and not to be consumed on the premises, means that many gallons of beer have been drunk on a seat placed along the flint wall, and in the nearby area. In the summer months, the previously mentioned Dank of Pennygate has been known to bang on a down pipe at 4.30 in the morning to waken the landlord to get him a gallon of beer before starting his day’s marsh mowing. But this must have ceased when opening hours were reduced during the First War, from 24 hours daily to a few only during the week, and none on Sundays.
The following account is taken from John Yaxley’s A Jam Round Barton Turf:
Customers outside the Hole in the Wall.
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What is now Staithe House was for many years a beerhouse, but it was unusual in that it only had an off licence, so beer was served outside.
Apparently this restriction was applied to counteract drunkenness and absenteeism in munition factories, and a loss of wartime equipment. But 24-hour opening times are being allowed once again in 2005.
Queries still come as to how long a licence to retail porter and stout was held here. Earliest available records of this show that a James Amis died in 1846, leaving house, chattels and brewery equipment to his wife Pamela, who later sold it to their daughter Pamela’s husband James Yaxley, and through fathers to sons and an auction, the premises only are now the possession of a great grandson of his. This house, at some time in the past, has been three one up and one down cottages, with the possibility that the smaller staithe end was built as a granary.
Examination of transcripts of parish and census records suggests that James Yaxley’s wife Pamela was actually the grand-daughter of James and Pamela Amis.