Discover the gruesome history of the Ostrich Inn in Colnbrook

Local history writer Gary Flint explores the gory past of the Ostrich Inn in Colnbrook.

Said to be the third oldest pub in the UK, the Hospice Inn was founded opposite the 17 mile stone from London in 1106. The name became corrupted to the Ostrich Inn. It’s a popular pub and underwent a major refurbishment in 2006 retaining original beams, fireplaces, crooked stairs and cobbled courtyard. I like this pub but it has a rather gruesome period in its history. It is believed that over 60 murders were committed in the Ostrich Inn.

Coaching inns were established in the village of Colnbrook to provide rest to travellers and their horses along the Bath Road from London. Travel was difficult, uncomfortable and mostly for the wealthy.

A landlord named Jarman built a trapdoor in the centre of one of the guest rooms, the Blue Room. The bedstead was hinged and a wealthy traveller would be booked into this room to later be tipped through the trapdoor while he was asleep into a vat of boiling liquid below. Jarman and his wife would then steal his possessions and dispose of the body.

When these occurrences took place is uncertain but the earliest seems to be the 12^th century. I understand that the story is referred to in the book Thomas of Reading published 1596-1600.

The atrocities were discovered when Jarman and his wife plotted to kill a clothier known as Thomas Cole. They persuaded him to make his will then Jarman killed him. This was their last crime as Cole’s horse was found wandering the streets nearby and this caused a search for his owner which led to The Ostrich Inn. Cole’s body was found dumped in a nearby brook. Some say that Colnbrook got its name from Cole-in-the-brook.

Interesting idea, but I’m sceptical. I think it’s just an unhappy coincidence. I think the brook was named after the River Colne, but who knows? The Blue Room is currently used as a storeroom but I can’t help but hope that maybe one day someone will restore it to its former gory.

Other claims to fame for the Inn are that King John may have stopped here on the way to sign the Magna Charta at Runnymede and Dick Turpin used the Inn to hide from the Bow Street Runners. It also has a Roman wall running through part of it.

It’s very nice and the staff here know that they work in a special place. And are happy to show you around if they are not too busy.

Photos by Gary Flint.