The Davenport Arms - Thief's Neck

The Davenport Arms, or ‘The Thief’s Neck’ as known to friends, has reached an impressive milestone – it has been the pumping heart of a running relationship between the Hallworth family and Cheshire family brewers, Robinsons, for over 83 years.

The Robinson family acquired the Davenport Arms, Woodford, in 1922 but this historic hostelry – once part of the famed Capesthorne Estate – dates back to the 18th Century in which the Davenport family were the game wardens to the King’s hunting preserves.

As hereditary foresters of the King, the Davenports had the authorized power to put poachers to death without trial. Hence, the crest of the Davenport coat of arms originally was a serf’s head with a rope around its neck, signifying that the Davenports had the power to hang without appeal to the King. This same crest can still be seen today from the pub’s pictorial.

The legend has it that the tree which stands outside the Davenport Arms was used to hang wrongdoers, hence the nickname ‘The Thief’s Neck’ – since then best behaviour has prevailed!