This was a bustling market in the 15th century until it became a notorious hanging site in the 16th – many of the current establishments reflect its gruesome past like Half Hanged Maggie Inn – named after a fish hawker who got pregnant by her landlord’s son and a few days after giving birth, was sentenced to be hung. The funeral director heard noises coming from her coffin when taking her to the burial ground and discovered she was still alive so they decided to give her a 2nd chance at life and she opened this Inn. There’s also a bar called the Last Drop which may be a reference to the last drink taken before hanged but more likely a grim description of the last drop through the scaffold door. Hardly festive notes from which to exclaim “cheers!” as you knock one back but there’s plenty of comfort food to drown your sorrows like the above massive pork sandwiches.
