Home > Dorset > Maiden Newton > Castle Inn Castle Inn
Date of photo: 1987	Picture source: Michael Croxford
The Castle Inn was situated on Waterloo Square. This pub was present by 1861 when the publican was Harry Hodges. It closed in the 1990s and is now in residential use.
My name is Ralph Hodges and I'm the great grandson of Harry Hodges who is the landlord referred to.  Harry it appears was quite a character and was known locally as 'Doc Hodges'. So the story goes anyone who had a problem would go to see Doc who would try to help out. (Probably with a pint!) The story is that he also used to deal in poached game and had contacts who would buy it. Much of it was apparently sent to London via the Maiden Newton railway station where he had contacts.  The pub backed onto the River Frome and they used to fish illegally for trout out of the back windows of the pub. Harry had three sons Harry, George and Frederick.  Harry and George become publicans of the Broadway and Richmond pubs in Bournemouth and Fred worked at Maiden Newton Station before being transferred to Bath Spa station.
Ralph Hodges (May 2025)
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Picture source: Google Streetview