The Golden Cross.

The Golden Cross is reputed to be one of the oldest public houses in Shrewsbury and was once known as the "Sextry," a corruption of sacristy, the place where the sacristan of old St. Chad's Church would have kept the church plate and vestments. Until 1794 a covered passage over Princess Street once connected the church to the inn. Although alterations have occurred over the years, much of the building dates back to the last quarter of the fifteenth century. From the beginning the house was used for entertaining and we are informed in the Bailiff's accounts for 1495 that "13s-2d in wine spent upon the King's gentlemen in Sextre."

During the Civil War a group of Royalists from the town regularly met there and were described by one of their number as " a club of good fellowship," while a member of the opposite persuasion referred to them as "a knot of company seekers."

The inn was first recorded as the Golden Cross in 1780 and it has been a popular meeting place throughout its history. In the 19th century the landlord was Thomas Harris and he was particularly proud of his dinners provided daily "for those who wished to be served at his house or at their own houses." Perhaps the town's first take-a-way service! He also sold fresh poultry ready for dressing and prime sausages in season.

In 1900 the inn was owned by Worthington & Co. and had six private and four public rooms. The landlady at this time was Maria Seddon who later changed her name to Banning. She was obliged to sell the brewery's beer and stout but could supply her own spirits.

In February 1962 Michael and Audrey O'Dwyer became tenants of the inn. Michael was a retired National Hunt jockey and the couple were popular hosts, remaining at the inn for many years. Within a few months of their tenancy a problem arose when a section of the public wanted an end to the "Men Only" bar, which had been a tradition at the Golden Cross for many years. When the locals heard that their sanctuary was to lose its status, seventy male customers signed as petition of protest, which was sent to the brewery by the landlord. A compromise was reached with the "Men Only" bar functioning on weekdays, but with the ladies being allowed in at weekends, a situation that continued for a number of years.