There are a few pubs around called 'The World's End' . The name has been used since the seventeenth century. Usually it is applied to an inn that was isolated or on the outskirts of a village. As such the name provided a challenge to sign painters. I think this one in Devon (or was it Somerset?) shows the general idea well.
A somewhat different interpretation for the name is given for The World's End inn in Knaresborough in Yorkshire. The sign shows a motor coach falling off the bridge into the River Nidd. This sign refers to a Mother Shipton prophecy that when Knaresborough bridge falls for the third time the world will come to an end.
That's a nice sign!
ReplyDeleteI've been to Knaresborough, but only so briefly, we didn't have time to look around at the pubs. I remember the many murals, though, and the story about the bed race. The view from the castle is wonderful!
The name does give the idea of getting away for a while and resting. The gent in the picture looks quite content.
ReplyDeletethe 'dark satanic mills' on the horizon are an interesting inclusion.
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