history

In its earliest form, the historic hamlet of Anick was known as Aelnewick or Egelwins farm. Egelwin was the last Anglo Saxon bishop of Durham who fled from William the Conquerors army which ravaged the North after the 1070 rebellion.

In 1183 Archbishop Thomas 11 sent monks to Hexham to rebuild the church and found a priory. The then provost was Wilaf Lareow(the Learned) who retired to Anick where he possessed six bovates(about 90 acres) of land. Anick became the first and principal support of the new monastery with the monks farming the land around the area.

The first census in 1801 showed that Anick had 161 inhabitants, mostly farm workers.

Originally a drovers inn, for centuries there has been an alehouse in Anick, but just how the Rat Inn came by what must surely be one of the oddest names for an Inn in Britain remains shrouded in mystery. Ask the locals and several interesting theories are offered: Some say that it was a regular meeting place for all the local rat catchers; others say that the largest rat ever seen was caught here.

Perhaps the most intriguing tale tells of the then ale keeper who gave information to the crown during the Jacobite risings of 1715 and 45 and thus became known as "the Rat". Historically, Northumberland had a strong network of Jacobite sympathisers who met under cover of games of bowls and horse races at local pubs and alehouses. Government spies were posted across the county to gather information. Who knows, perhaps the Rat Inn was host to some of these meetings!

Whatever it’s past it has been at the very heart of life in Anick as a welcoming and loved local village tavern for over 200 years.

Today it’s also a legend in Northumberland, with visitors travelling many miles to experience its unique atmosphere.