The King's Highway - In the 18th century, with improved roads and the popularity of stagecoach travel, the coaching inn came into being.

Many of these Coaching Inns or 'King's Houses' were set up to allow travellers on the new military roads to find board and lodging.

The number of 'casual' public houses fell as increasingly strict licensing laws were passed and with more and more travelling trade, running a public house became a business option rather than a pastime.