History 1688 and all that!

Parson's Green, in times past known as 'Parsonage Green', owed its name to the parsonage or rectory house which stood midway along the West side of the green. Reputedly the site of a vineyard in Roman times, it was by far the most aristocratic quarter of Fulham and was said to have been inhabited "mostly by Gentry and Persons of Quality". A coaching inn has existed on the present site since at least 1688 when the then victualler of 'Ye Olde White Horse', John Haines, was asked to appear before the local Court Baron for "setting up posts before his house at Parsons Greene without leave of ye Lord of the Manor". Haines was fined six shillings and eight pence and ordered "that he remove them by the first of April next under the paine of twenty shillings".

The White Horse was mentioned in the Spectator in August 1712 in relation to the popular annual Parson's Green Fair at which ale tapping was an eagerly awaited event: "a tub of excellent Ale just set abroach" which according to Addison "but this wanted confirmation". Parson's Green fair was essentially a country fair. On the west side were the puppet shows, acting booths and the refreshment stalls. At the top of the Green near the White Horse were the fish stalls, oysters and whelks always being in large demand. Competitive games such as hot tea drinking, greasy pole climbing and treacle bobbing took place alongside the barbaric practice, which passed for sport, of tying up live cocks for people to throw sticks at.

In the early years of the 19th century a noted clown, Billy Button, used to ride a horse at the fair. After completing its routine 'the intelligent animal would throw its rider oft and bolt for the stables of the White Horse inn' where it was evidently given plenty to eat and drink.

One of the most infamous Landlords of the White Horse was John Wright. A tall young customer named Fennell and nicknamed the Giant had the 'misfortune to incur the displeasure of the host of the White Horse and was so severely chastised by him that he died. Thenceforward Wright was known as "Jack, the Giant Killer."'

In 1835 a 'singular cricket match' was reported in 'The Times "On Tuesday considerable amusement occurred at Parson's Green, Fulham, and the vicinity in consequence of a match of cricket being played between 11 married and 11 single women, the match was made up for the sum of 10 shillings and a hot supper. At 10 o'clock in the forenoon a tent was erected on the green and soon afterwards the wickets were pitched. A vast assemblage of persons congregated to witness the sport, amongst whom were a number of the most respectable inhabitants: The married women wore light blue dresses, their waists and heads being decorated with ribands of the same colour, the single women were attired in close white dresses, pink sashes and cap bows. The game commenced about 11 o'clock the married women taking the first innings, and obtaining 47 runs, the single then commenced play, and were not so successful, the whole of them being bowled out for 29 runs. The next two innings were played and the game was won by the single women, but only by seven runs. After the match was over, country dances accompanied by a band of music took place on the green, and in the evening the supper was provided by the White Horse on the green."

The White Horse was also the meeting place of the old Fulham Albion Cricket Club, one of the pioneer cricket clubs in England. The White Horse was also notable for enjoying by virtue of ancient tenure a square foot of ground at the North end of the green on which its sign stood until 1906. On Hurlingham Polo days in 1900 between 70 and 80 carriages would be drawn up outside the White Horse and around the green.

The James family took over the freehold of the White Horse in 1882 adding to their portfolio of the City Arms (in the City of London), the Rising Sun (Battersea) and the Marlborough (Chelsea). By 1894 the next door tailor shop at No.3 Parson's Green had been acquired and incorporated into the newly enlarged and redesigned White Horse. A stained glass window was commissioned from Spaulls of Chelsea depicting a romanticised scene of 'Ye Olde White Horse' in Shakespearean times. The window was blown out in the German bombing of London in the early 1940's whereupon it was placed in the cellar for the remainder of the war for safe keeping. Sadly, the window was sold and removed in the late 1970's although a photograph of it now hangs near the fireplace.

In 1913 the James family sold the freehold of the White Horse to Charrington & Co. of Mile End for £13,000 and took a long lease from them. Charrington & Co. had merged with Bass, Mitchells & Butlers in 1967 to become Bass Charrington, and it was they who took over the management of the White Horse on the early surrender of the lease in 1979. In June 1981 the formidable and characterful Sally Cruickshank was 'head-hunted' to become the manageress and Mark Dorber, then on a working vacation from university, took over the management of the cellar. In April 1995 Sally Cruickshank retired and Mark Dorber and Rupert Reeves took over as joint licensees. In October 1997 Rupert Reeves left the White Horse with Mark Dorber staying for another ten years before leaving to run The Anchor at Walbeswick. The White Horse is now in the safe hands of Dan Fox.