The Quiet Woman pub is situated in the village of Earl Sterndale and it has been open for business for over four hundred years. Originally, the pub’s name is associated with stories; one of them claims that it is named after a woman who was beheaded for speaking too much. These and other interesting stories have indeed added a mysterious element to this pub.
During its golden era, this pub was the local center, which mainly populated residents and tourists who were looking for a warm and friendly atmosphere. It also meant that anyone who planned to spend the night somewhere conveniently had a place to do that, which was the campsite of the pub.
It is, however, worth mentioning that, to date, there are reports of the pub’s closure being permanent; however, its memory remains alive.
To find out more about the Quiet Woman pub, keep reading!
Historical Evolution Of The Quiet Woman Pub
The Quiet Woman pub has one of the most incredible stories and dates back to centuries. Here is a breakdown of its evolution through the years:
17th century: The pub developed from a small farm known as Mockhall that was originally possessed by one Timothy Hill, a shoemaker. One possibility would be that it was a resting or refilling place for travelers and other people on the farms.
1851: Mockhall first started functioning as a beerhouse for which the owner had to pay 2 guineas for permission as per the Beerhouse Act of 1830. Continuing to regulate beer sales, this act enabled households to sell beer without the necessity of a full liquor license.
Late 19th century: The beerhouse was renamed “The Quiet Woman,” probably because the sign-bearing beerhouse with a headless woman was popular. This motif was typical in England in this period and represented the belief that the only way a woman can be dominated is through being ‘cut’ or ‘deprived of her head’.
Early 20th century: The Quiet Woman was still a pub and was still serving customers in the locality and those who passed by.
1920s–1930s: The pub most probably was shut down during this period as several similar establishments in rural areas could not sustain themselves during the Great Depression.
Post-WWII: The Quiet Woman was back to operations again, though it could have changed ownership or been run by a new manager.
2018: Finally, the pub ceased operations and shut down for good, depriving the community of a common venue.
Over the years, The Quiet Woman pub has transformed and adjusted to the changes of society and its culture. The fact that the pub started as a mere farm and was closed permanently, still had significant influence on the people in the area.
An Overview Of The Quiet Woman Pub
About the pub
The Quiet Woman pub has been in business for more than 400 years, thus making the building a historic one. The family of Heathcote managed the pub for 300 years out of that time. Another person involved with the pub was Joseph Heathcote, who was an innkeeper and died in 1811 and Herbert Heathcote, who was managing the pub up to the 1920s.
The pub remained in the hands of successive landlords over the years, with Ken Mellor, the public’s favorite landlord, succumbing to death in August 2020.
The pub has a rather peculiar sign which reads: “Soft Words Turneth Away Wrath.” Below this slogan, there is a picture of a woman without a head. The story behind the sign is intriguing: It is said that the wife of the former landlord, who has been identified as Chattering Charteris, could not stop complaining in her sleep. Desperate, the landlord went as far as chopping her head to ensure she did not complain anymore. This sign has something to do with this creepy story and makes the pub more mysterious.
Ambiance And Location
The building of the Quiet Woman Pub represents the atmosphere, which can be deemed typical for a traditional English village pub. The outside of the building is constructed from stone and the inside has a log cabin feel with exposed beams and open fire for that cozy countryside appeal after a hard day hiking in the peaks. Of course, one cannot talk about the pub’s atmosphere without mentioning the kind staff who are always waiting to greet guests and deliver excellent service.
The pub is located at Earl Sterndale, Buxton SK17 0BU, United Kingdom and is not currently in operation.
Amenities
The Quiet Woman pub offers the following amenities:
- Average quality of pint of beer but at fairly affordable rates
- Whatever basic food there is like pies, crisps, nuts, pickled eggs and onions
- A camping site adjacent to the pub to ensure foot traffic for business men and contractors during the day and holiday makers during the evenings.
- Families’ area for them to sit and spend time other than in the bar area
- Public toilets that are available, especially at night for those using the camps.
- Fresh eggs for sale
- Roaring fire
- Firewood to warm up the front bar
- A classic British countryside pub atmosphere
Menu At The Quiet Woman Pub
The Quiet Woman menu is exceptionally famous for its hearty and well-flavored pub food. The menu consists of typical English food, which is prepared with fresh products from the region.
The Quiet Woman Inn has a limited menu, but here are some of the food and drinks on their menu:
- Pork pies
- Real ale
- Pickled eggs
- Sausage rolls
- Bar snacks
- Beverages like Marstons Owd Rodger, Burton Bridge Dark Mild and best bitter
The drinks menu also features appropriate local and regional beers, ciders, and wines carefully chosen to match the food menu.
Ratings and Reviews
The Quiet Woman pub has 3.9 out of 5 stars google ratings with over 100 reviews.
Additional information about the Quiet Woman Pub
- The pub had a camping site nearby
- The pub used to be open every day for lunch and dinner.
- The pub had a no-children and no-dogs policy in the bar area
- Some previous reviewers have also mentioned that an elderly woman owner could be quite rude and unfriendly at times
Despite this, the pub still holds a certain charm and character, with a roaring fire and a traditional atmosphere that is perfect for a quiet pint or a relaxing evening.
Conclusion
The Quiet Woman pub is an historic pub in Earl Sterndale that offers a unique experience to its visitors. Although it was announced in 2018 that the pub was closed permanently, it remains an important part of the cultural history of the area.
The décor, services and food that it served added to this locality’s image as a warm, hospitable venue popular among the population and tourists. Despite it no longer operating as a pub for customers, many people will still remember, with kindness, The Quiet Woman pub.
