Episode 2 focused on the Coaching Inn. Here is our write up. MasterKAF chose the words and MrsDTB typed it up ?
What was it?
Where the richer folk would stop on journeys to eat and sometimes sleep. It was like a motorway service station and overnight hotel. It was also a chance to replace horses or resting them so that they could continue the journey.
Where were they?
The episode was filmed at a renovated real-life coaching inn called the New Inn. Coaching Inns were dotted along the roads in the country.
When were they used?
The mid 18th Century was the point when they were most common. After this point, they began to go out of business as there were not enough customers because trains were becoming more popular and cheaper to run.
Why were they used?
It was the fastest mode of transport at that time. Today you might be able to out cycle a galloping horse though! But then bikes were incredibly expensive and not even that fast, plus they were very hard to ride as they made a massive front wheel and a tiny back wheel!
Penny Farthings were not practical or fast!
The mail coach also used Coaching Inns so they could get a fast turnaround of their carriage.
Who used them?
Coaching Inns also had local farm workers as customers. They were not given nice food though. Sometimes they only got bread or cheese. Richer customers were supposed to get meat soup or good quality fish or rabbit, but in the episode, we watched, the people were given their food so late that it was too hot to eat, even though they had already paid for it. The coaching inn owner planned to sell the soup again later! Not the most ethical thing to do.