Geograph - photograph every grid square

Grade II* Listed 1750s inn on the main London to Manchester turnpike road. Formerly the Green Man, the owner purchased the Blackamoor's Head just down the road at number 18/20 and on closing it, incorporated the two names into one in 1825. The success of the inn was partly due to the fact that it had a rear exit so that coaches could enter, change horses, and depart quickly without turning or being obstructed by other coaches. Its (1825?) gallows sign was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest inn sign in the world. A photograph of about 1890 shows the sign with a much more realistic head and a square, more conventional, pub sign hanging from the centre. The sign was damaged in 2006 by a lorry but I don't know if that promoted the head replacement. The Hotel claimed its Royal association after Queen Victoria stopped here briefly for a comfort break. Dr. Samuel Johnson was great friends with Ashbourne's Revd John Taylor and visited frequently often accompanied by Boswell his biographer. Based on their writings, it is just possible Boswell stayed here but Johnson never actually did; however in September 1777 they were given a meal by Mrs. Killingley, the landlady. Mrs. Fanny Wallis was proprietress of the Green Man and Blackamoor's Head Commercial and Family Hotel, Posting House and Inland Revenue Office from the death of her husband Robert Wallis in 1871 until her own death in 1898. Little appears to have been done to the exterior since then, and the outfitter's next door is surprisingly still selling clothing. Groves & Whitnall purchased the inn in 1945 as part of its policy of acquisitions of fully licensed houses especially those where meals could also be supplied. Sadly, described by Jacob Ward as, 'the Fawlty Towers operation much enjoyed by your correspondent', the building closed as a hotel in 2012. Directory entries include; 1828-1829 John Wood, Green Man; 1835 John Brooks; 1842-1870 Robert Wallis (in 1870-"Green Man and Black's Head, Royal Hotel, Commercial inn, and posting house. This old established hotel will be found replete with every comfort and accommodation for families, commercial gentlemen, and travellers; commercial and extensive stock rooms; omnibus to and from every train; Inland Revenue office"); 1874-1895 Mrs Fanny Wallis; 1899 Frank Stretton; 1912 John Carriss Prince.