Our History

The Brown Bear is one of the oldest buildings in the village of Braughing dating from the early 16th century. It is one of only five properties in Braughing that are listed as Grade II* for their special architectural or historic interest.

The earliest known owner of the Brown Bear was a man named John Payson. There is little known of this man, but from later deeds, it is clear that at some stage he left the property to Henry Thorowgood.
The ownership of the property can be traced back to 1768, when Henry Thorowgood made his will.

The Name

The earliest evidence of the property previously known as the Bear was in 1776, when it appears in parish records by that name. It was in 1854, when the first evidence shows it by the name of the Brown Bear in a trade directory. The name has been interchangeable ever since.

The Street in the 1890s

This photograph was taken in 1890’s looking along the Street. Pub signs for the Axe and Compasses, The Boars Head and the Brown Bear can all be seen.

Peter Boylan the Chairman of the  Braughing Local History Society, has compiled an excellent history of the Brown Bear,  which you can download as a PDF.