Location: 4, The Green North, Warborough
The Nag’s Head, commonly known in its later years as Nelly’s, Nelly’s Bar and Dirty Nelly’s stood on the north side of the Green in Warborough. There does not appear to be a reference as to why the name Nelly’s came into being during the latter half of the twentieth century.
It building was originally constructed as two cottages in the 17th century. During the early to mid-18th century, it was re-fronted, and later in the century extended to create the form seen prior to its closure.
Construction is typical of the period, comprising clunch rubble walls with some brick dressings. The roof is tiled and the chimney stacks are of brick.
Map of Warborough, 1910 listing the name as Nag’s Head
In the early 1980s, the Nag’s Head (then Dirty Nelly’s) acquired a reputation as a rough drinking pub. This had been shed before its closure in 2002, after which it was converted into a private dwelling.
The earliest recorded publican is John Bartlet, who married Avisia around 1747. The couple had two daughters. But John died aged just 29, and their second daughter died two years later aged 2. Avisia subsequently married Francis Gammon in 1755, and together they ran the Nag’s Head until 1763.
Throughout the mid-19th century and into the 20th century, the Nag’s Head was one of the Parish public houses that regularly held Smoking Concerts. These were popular male-attended musical events, often to raise money for charitable causes. These were common events in Warborough and Shillingford public houses, as well as the Greet Hall. Below is an extract for one held at the Nag’s Head in 1905:
10th March 1905, Berks & Oxon Advertiser
A significant period in the pub’s history began in 1870, when John and Emily Whichelo took over tenancy, transferring from the George Inn in Shillingford, which they had managed since 1863. The Whichelos had married in 1852 and moved to Warborough from Dorchester. John was a local builder and died in 1890, and Emily continued to run the Nag’s Head until her death in 1901.
Reading Mercury, 13th March 1852
John Whichelo was summoned to court to answer charges of short measure:
Oxford Chronicle & Reading Gazette, 21st May 1885
John Whichelo’s untimely death is recorded:
Oxford Times, 17th August 1890
Frederick Bitmead took over the tenancy of the Nag’s Head in 1902. During his eight years as landlord, the pub remained an active social centre for the village.
Frederick Bitmead with family outside Nag’s Head c1911
One of the most memorable later figures associated with the Nag’s Head was Mick Carty, an Irish builder and construction company owner, whose booming voice and broad Irish accent became part of the pub’s folklore. His familiar cry of “Have yer no homes to go ta!” was well remembered by his patrons.
Before its final closure, Nelly’s also served as the village Post Office, a role it fulfilled for several years. Following closure, this function was transferred to St Laurence Hall.
Garden view taken c1930
Parish Council matters (1987), arising from boundary infringements. Gordon Allnutt is alleged to have contravened the terms of his tenancy:
The following photos show the alleyway at the time of its closure and the conversion into private residence:
Entry into the Nag’s Head through the alleyway c2002
Two photos taken 2014, showing its sympathetic conversion
Publicans & Tenants:
John Bartlet c1746-1750
Avisia Bartlet 1750-1754
Francis Gammon 1755-1763 (Avisia m. Francis)
John Pangbourn 1764-1765
John Glanvile 1766-1769
Thomas Bond 1770-1784
Mary Bond 1785-1798
George Biesley 1799-1802
Richard Phelp 1805-1808
Thomas Mullis 1809-1869
John & Emily Whichelo 1870-1901
Frederick Bitmead 1902-1910
Charles Batton 1914-1915
George Giddings 1920-1924
William Rosser 1925-1931
Henry Townsend 1933-1935
Hugh M. Mcready 1936-1937
Arthur R. Burrows 1938-1938
Ralph & Eliza Edwards 1939-1952
Victor Albert Tomlin 1957-1959
Walter T Miles 1967-c1969
Mick & Sally Carty 1970’s-1980’s
Mike & Alicia Collins c1980’s-c1986
Gordon & Linda Allnutt 1987-1990
Colin Morris 1991-1997
Siobhan Collins 1997-2002
Ceased Trading 2002
Converted into Dwelling c2005
Researched by David Seymour, January 2026