The Nag’s Head, Mansfield Road

The Nag’s Head, Mansfield Road

THIS story is not suitable for temperance meetings! In olden days the gallows of Nottingham was situated where the entrance to the Church Cemetery now stands, and miserable criminals had to wend their way from the county and town prisons (which stood upon the High Pavement) up the Mansfield-road to meet their doom upon what was then called Gallows Hill.

Gradually the custom arose that the landlord of the Nag’s Head," which stood just at the point where the gallows came into view, should provide the unfortunates with a last drink of Nottingham ale, and should receive in exchange their posies.

Upon one occasion a criminal was proceeding to execution and, arriving at the " Nag’s Head," instead of partaking of the customary refreshment he put it on one side, and fixing his eyes upon the gallows, he pressed forward to his death.

Scarcely had life left his body when a messenger hurried up bringing with him a reprieve which was too late to effect its purpose, but which would have been in time to save him had he not disdained that last drink of Nottingham ale.