Newbottle Street, Golden Lion Public Hous

18th century public house. Sandstone. Façade painted white. Quoins. Two storeys, roof lights in attic replaced original dormers. Two doors on front elevation each with classical style door surrounds, double window between the two doors. Three windows on first floor. This is probably Houghton's oldest surviving pub. Originated as a coaching inn. In 1824 the Golden Lion was owned by the Reverends John and Edward Bulmer, Philip Bulmer and Francis Louise Bulmer. In 1827, 1829 and 1834 John Welsh was the proprietor. From 1841 to 1861 Thomas Surtees was inn keeper. He held auctions in the inn. 1871 Mark Jobling. 1881 George Ambler. 1884 Thomas Horton was proprietor of the Golden Lion Commercial Hotel & Posting House. 1890 George Harding. 1891 Hugh Sydney. 1894 Hugh Hall. 1901 Robert Crofton. 1911 Thomas Gittens. 1914 John Stamp. 1938 Chas Maffey. 1960s Iris and Walter Pawley. 1971-3 Tom and Betty Barron. 1973 David and Jinny Walton. C1974 Joe and Rita Murray. C1975 Vi and Terry Tunnicliffe. 1996 John Pender and Linda Murray. Vaux refitted the pub in 1998. 1999-2000 Diane and Chris Robinson. Sept 2008 to 2012 Paul and Rachael Thompson. The public house has a snug, bar, back bar, kitchen and rooms to the rear. The former stables at the back are now a garage. The hay loft is now used for storage. A drain in the cellar is connected to the Houghton Burn culvert. The pub closed on 10th August 2013. Sold and being converted into a restaurant.