Our Story
Our Story
The Beresford Arms
History
The history of The Beresford Arms traces back to its origins as a thatched house in the early 1900s. In a turn of events, this house was transformed into a pub by Lord Decies, who was associated with the development of Bank Cottages in Whalton Village. Lord Decies, who owned extensive land in the region including Whalton, played a significant role in the pub’s evolution. Notably, Lord Decies hailed from Bolam Hall and had ties to the Hedley Dent family of Shortflatt Towers. An interesting anecdote surrounds Lord Decies’ marriage, as he initially intended to marry the eldest daughter of the Hedley Dent family, but ultimately chose to wed the youngest daughter Ann. This decision led to a unique wedding ceremony, as they found a willing priest to officiate the marriage at Shortflatt.
The naming of the pub, “The Beresford Arms,” has a distinctive origin. Timmy Norton, from Whalton Manor, discovered a portrait during a trip to Ireland that was created by Northumberland artist Andrew Fester. Upon speaking with the person depicted in the painting, Marcus Beresford, it was revealed that he was a descendant of Lord Decies. This connection led to the realization that the Beresford Family had historical ties to Northumberland, and the Beresford name, along with the Decies name, had been used in the region. This discovery gave the pub its name, paying homage to its historical roots and the Beresford family’s connection to the area.
The tale of The Beresford Arms’ naming underscores the intertwining threads of history, family heritage, and local connections that have shaped the pub’s identity over the years.
In
the 1950's
The Beresford Arms was bought by Vaux Breweries and Mrs Higginbottom was a long-standing tenant. A frequent customer was Freddie Dickinson who trained racehorses and kept them in the stables behind the pub. He was a great character whose groom ‘Harry the Goose’ slept in the stable.
In the 1950s the stables were joined onto the main pub and turned into bed and breakfast rooms with a function room downstairs. A kitchen was added and part of the pub became the restaurant we use today.
Environmental
Sustainability
At The Beresford Arms Whalton, our commitment to environmental sustainability is evident through a range of initiatives. This includes adopting energy-efficient technologies like LED lighting and water conservation measures. For water reduction, we’ve introduced low-flow faucets, showerheads, and waterless urinals, saving approximately 150,000 liters annually. Collaborating with Kudos, a conservation-oriented linen supplier, we emphasize energy-efficient practices.
Our comprehensive waste management system involves clearly labeled recycling bins. Food waste like vegetable peelings is donated to local farms, and coffee grounds are given to a nearby garden for composting. Our used cooking oil is collected by Olleco, a company that recycles it to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, with the added benefit of providing new oil during collection to reduce the carbon impact.
Prioritizing local and sustainable sourcing, we partner with farmers who adhere to environmentally conscious practices. Notably, we work with Particularly Good Potatoes, supporting carbon footprint reduction by sourcing locally grown Northumberland potatoes.
Our commitment to eco-friendly cleaning extends to using environmentally safe products and practices. We minimize single-use cleaning items by employing concentrated refillable chemicals. In guest rooms, refillable soap dispensers are used to reduce single-use plastic waste.
