The Apple Tree

Details

NY 4055 NW
671-1/12/340

CARLISLE
LOWTHER STREET (west side)
The Apple Tree

(Formerly listed as Pippins)

II
Alternatively known as: Apple Tree Inn, LOWTHER STREET.
Public House. 1925, with late C20 alterations. By Harry Redfern, architect for the State Management Scheme in Carlisle ('The Carlisle Undertaking'). Red brick, with sandstone and terracotta dressings, and a Lake District slate roof covering.

PLAN: U-shape, with small rear yard now infilled.

EXTERIOR: FRONT ELEVATION (east): 2 storey and attics, 5-bay front with end bays expressed as slightly advanced towards towers of 3-storeys. Ground floor entrance frontage, with double doorways to outer and centre bays, the latter flanked by large square window openings with tripartite frames. Either side of the windows are double pilasters rising from a deep plinth, supporting a frieze, all of pale terracotta, as are the door surrounds of the doorways to the end towers. First floor with 5 tall stone mullion and transom windows with ashlar aprons and lintels which form part of an eaves band to the central 3 bays, below a mansard roof with 3, 3-light wedge dormer windows. Gablets to tower heads each with a 5-light mullioned window within ashlar walling.

SIDE ELEVATION (south): separate side entrances to former mixed and women's bars, the former 2 bays wide and of 2 storeys, the latter lower, and with a pedimented door head.

INTERIOR: ground floor altered and remodelled with late C20 bar counter and back bar, in central island location of original. First floor retains original plan form with central bar counter serving former 'mixed 1st class' and 'mens first class' areas. The later is lit by clerestory lights, and is decorated throughout with painted friezes and murals depicting mythological scenes. There are panelled bar counters, overlights with glazing bars, wall panelling, cast-iron fireplace with moulded surround and overmantel panel, with flanking doorway to original toilet area. The mixed 1st class area has fabric-faced panelling which incorporates a 3-light timber mullioned window to light service stair, and a hearth with surround and overmantel panelling. Mullion and transom windows have leaded lights incorporating apple tree motif in upper lights. Panelled bar with overlights and half-glazed doors giving access to main stair with gate restricting access to attic floor.

HISTORY: the 'Carlisle Undertaking' was the most important of the 3 schemes of complete Government control of the supply of intoxicants introduced in 1916. The State Management Board appointed Harry Redfern as its principal architect, and he produced schemes for the remodelling of existing public houses, and designs for 'improved' houses, of which 'The Apple Tree' was the first. Despite interior alterations at ground floor level, the building remains a significant example of the work of the State Management Scheme in Carlisle, which influenced the design of 'improved' public houses throughout Britain in the Inter-War period. The survival of the first floor plan, furnishings and fittings is of particular significance as such provision was regarded as experimental at the time, providing for segregated areas for different combinations of sexes and social classes.

Bibliography: The Renaissance of the English Public House (Basil Oliver). 1947, Page(s) 63-65

Listing NGR: NY4020955931

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

469182

Legacy System:

LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Oliver, B, The Renaissance of the English Public House, (1947), 63-65

End of official list entry

All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.