Angel Inn, Wrangle

Angel Inn location

The current Angel Inn was built during the first half of the 19th Century. It stood in the shadow of the impressive church of St Mary and St Nicholas, the oldest building in the village.

In medieval times, Wrangle was an important local port and market centre. It relied on nearby Hangel Creek for access to the sea. The sheltered port lay 400 meters to the west of the present church. Parish information tells us that a predecessor of the Angel Inn stood on its banks.

The name Angel Inn comes from its proximity to the church. The Inn reflects the early connection between religious establishments and travellers’ hostels dating back to the Middle Ages.

The Inn is loosely rectangular in plan with a two-storey front flanked by single-storey ranges on either side. Access is via a front doorway decorated with frieze and cornice. A side entrance overlooking the road is of a similar design.

The Inn's ground and upper floor windows are a mixture of modern casements and original sashes. They are in half and full Georgian designs. Ogee motifs (pointed s shaped arches) decorate the ground floor window heads. These are accentuated by three light windows overlooking the road. A hipped slate roof and corbelled bricked stacks (supported by weight supporting brackets) complete the building's outward appearance.

During the 19th Century, the pub had a small courtyard at the back for stabling, adjoined to a blacksmith. An 1880 map of the area depicts a loose courtyard design. Which is easily seen by passing trade from the road to Boston and Wainfleet.

At the beginning of the 20th Century, the courtyard was altered to the current layout. With some outbuildings demolished.

During the 19th Century and early 20th Century, the pub was the headquarters for the Wrangle and East Lincolnshire Agricultural Society. They hosted dinners for members, held lectures on food production and the benefits of farm mechanisation and provided advice on the latest new tech and methods coming to market.

Sadly, the Angel was closed when I arrived. Still, a quick look through the window revealed a contemporary bar counter, wall seating, exposed ceiling beams and stud work. There are no obvious signs of the pub's links to agriculture until walking away from the building. Then I notice an old plough wheel fixed above one of the windows. A subtle gesture to the Angel's ties to the local farming community past and present.