ONE of Malmesbury’s oldest watering holes was reopened, and secrets of its past revealed, as part of Heritage Open Days at the weekend.

The Old White Lion pub is one of the oldest domestic buildings in the country, and it was serving drinks for the first time since it closed 1967.

The iconic pub served residents in the town for more than 500 years and was named after Edward IV, who lodged there on his way to the battle of Tewkesbury in 1471.

Some research that had been done into the building’s history was on display for those in attendance at the open days.

This gave fascinating insights into the goings-on at the venue centuries ago, such as on September 20, 1819, when Mr Benett came to the pub to roast deer in celebration of his winning election to represent the county in parliament.

People also learned of the story of Hannah Twynnoy, the first person to be killed by a tiger in the UK.

She died in October 1703, when a tiger from a travelling circus that was using the pub’s back yard escaped its cage, and is buried at Malmesbury Abbey.

All money raised from the event went to the Malmesbury Civic Trust and the Athelstan Museum.

The Old White Lion is now a private home and has recently been renovated.

Paul Smith, current owner of the White Lion, said it was great to see the pub “alive” again.

“The open days were great fun, but it was also good to see some people who had been in the pub when it used to be open,” he said.

“It gave an insight into what it was it like.

“There is a possibility it will be open again, perhaps when the Christmas market on.”

Maria Marsh, curator at Malmesbury Abbey, attended the open days at the pub.

She said: “It was great to have the White Lion pub open again after over 40 years, even if for only a couple days.

“When Malmesbury was on the turnpike road it would have been very busy with all the coaches and post and visitors.

“It was also the site of the meetings and dealings in the town as well as dances upstairs in the assembly rooms, including meeting to pick the MP during the rotten borough times I believe.

“Everyone had a chance to see the old bar, lounge and snug and read articles about the old days from old newspaper articles, including one tale of murder in the night in 1700's, and see features unearthed during the renovations.

“Even people who used to drink in the pub stopped by to tell their stories but strangely they never went into the snug.

“They also said the 'old boys' used to sit in the main bar and warm their beer by putting pokers in the fire and then in their beer.”