History

Where does the name "The Last Inn" come from?

It wasn't given the name because it is the last inn in England, but because it was once the home of a shoemaker. A "last" is the metal or wooden form in the shape of a foot on which shoes are made or repaired.

Last Inn Sign The inscription "MEMENTOTE NE SUPRA CREPIDAM CAUPONES SUTORESQUE IUDICARENT" is an adaptation of a Roman proverb preserved for us in the writings of ‘Pliny the Elder’ who died in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD.

The original proverb meant – “Let Cobblers (Sutores) not have opinions about (ne iudicarent) anything beyond (supra) the Last (crepidam)”

In short "Cobblers should stick to their last" i.e. "Cobblers only need to know about cobbling" - and should leave all else alone.

The play on words on the inscription has been introduced to form its own special adaptation of this ancient proverb and means: "Let Cobblers and Innkeepers (Caupones) stick to their Last" with the pun involving the Innkeeper and his "Last” (Inn) and the Cobbler with his "Last"

So Cobblers should stick to making shoes and the Innkeeper should stick to keeping beer – Nonnullus spes! (some hope!)

Further stories will be added to this page. If you have any interesting stories to tell about the Last Inn and its history, please contact us and it might end up on this website.