The Nags Head
Wollaston's legendary music pub — where Rod Stewart, Free, U2 and John Peel came to a Northamptonshire village
At first glance, The Nags Head on London Road is a traditional village pub. But in the late 1960s and early 1970s, it became one of Wollaston's most remarkable claims to fame — a live music venue that brought major national and international acts to a Northamptonshire village.
Under landlord Bob "Big Bob" Knight, the pub built a reputation for progressive music, packed nights and appearances by artists who would go on to become household names. For Wollaston, it is a rare example of recent history that connects everyday village life with the wider story of British popular music.
From Mr Lucy's Hostelry to The Nags Head
The pub is first referred to in 1787 as Mr Lucy's Hostelry. It was later known as The Nags Head until 2003, when it became The Wollaston Inn, before the Nags Head name was restored. Wollaston Heritage places it at 87 London Road, at the junction with Hinwick Road.
The pub's most colourful period came under landlord Bob "Big Bob" Knight. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, The Nags Head became known for attracting progressive and rock bands at a time when village audiences would otherwise have had to travel much further afield to see that kind of live music.
Primary source
Wollaston's Public Houses in 1910
Kelly's Directory of Northamptonshire (1910) records three named public houses in Wollaston, each with its landlord. The Nag's Head was then known as the Nag's Head Hotel — and its landlord had a notably varied portfolio of responsibilities.
Public House · 1910
Nag's Head Hotel
William James Cooke
Also tax collector & agent for P. Phipps & Co's ales & stout
Public House · 1910
Crispin Arms
David Pollard
The Crispin is the patron saint of cobblers — a fitting name for a pub in a shoemaking village
Public House · 1910
Bell Inn
Arthur Charles Nicholls
One of the older inn names in the village, near Bell End
William James Cooke of the Nag's Head Hotel was simultaneously the village's tax collector and the local agent for Phipps & Co's ales — a combination that would raise eyebrows today but was entirely typical of the multi-role village tradesman of Edwardian England.
A pub through the years
First recorded reference as Mr Lucy's Hostelry
Bob "Big Bob" Knight takes over as landlord
John Peel begins regular Friday night residency
Peak years — national and international acts perform regularly
U2 play The Nags Head, Wollaston
Renamed The Wollaston Inn
Nags Head name restored
Bought by a local shoemaking family, restored as community pub
The BBC DJ who made Wollaston part of the circuit
One of the most memorable parts of the Nags Head story is its connection with BBC DJ John Peel. Several accounts record that Peel had a regular Friday night presence at The Nags Head, helping to make the venue part of the wider music circuit rather than just a local pub with occasional entertainment.
The pub's own history page records that John Peel held a regular Friday residency and helped run the venue. The John Peel Wiki notes regular Friday night gigs at the Nag's Head from around spring 1970.
"A village pub that briefly became one of Northamptonshire's most talked-about live music venues."
Played here
Reported performers at The Nags Head, Wollaston. Lists vary by source; names below are drawn from the pub's own history page and the Parish Council heritage plaque.
The U2 gig on 21 September 1980 has a specific listing. The Parish Council heritage plaque names Rod Stewart and The Faces, Free, Edwin Starr, U2, John Peel and The Who.
Why it matters
The Nags Head story is not just about famous names. It shows how a village pub could become a cultural meeting point — somewhere local people gathered, young people discovered music, and national acts passed through before, or during, their rise to fame.
For Wollaston, it is a rare example of recent history that connects everyday village life with the wider story of British popular music. The pub links Wollaston's village life, pub culture, the 1960s and 70s music scene, John Peel, and nationally known bands.
The Nags Head today
The current Nags Head describes itself as a freehouse pub and restaurant. In summer 2022 it was bought by a local shoemaking family with the aim of restoring it as a community meeting place.
Today, The Nags Head remains part of Wollaston's social life — but for many people, its most enduring story is the period when a village pub briefly became one of Northamptonshire's most talked-about live music venues.
Do you remember music nights at The Nags Head?
We'd love to add local memories, photographs, posters, tickets or stories from people who were there. Every contribution helps tell the full story of this remarkable chapter in Wollaston's history.