Over 200 Years Of History
Founded in 1807, our business
is built on a rich family heritage.
1777
Daniel Thwaites born.
1784
Betty Duckworth was born, who was to marry Daniel Thwaites later in life.
1807
Daniel Thwaites becomes a partner in the Eanam Brewery.
1824
Eanam Brewery becomes the sole property of Daniel Thwaites.
1843
Daniel Thwaites dies. Brothers Daniel II, John and Thomas inherit the brewery.
1858
Daniel II becomes sole owner of brewery as brother John retires.
1863
Blackburn Snig Brook Brewery acquired.
1875
Daniel II becomes the MP for Blackburn.
1888
Elma Thwaites inherits the brewery after Daniel II dies.
1897
Thwaites becomes limited company.
1923
Thwaites starts expansion after James Pickup and Co Wines and Spirits and Henry Shaw are purchased.
1925
Double Ben introduced and Thwaites begins to bottle its beers.
1957
Old Dan brewed to celebrate 150th anniversary
1960
Thwaites Scholarship initiated by John Yerburgh and Thwaites re-introduce dray horses.
1966
Eanam becomes Star Brewery - extended at a cost of £1.5m.
1972
Opening of new bottled beer and keg store.
1978
Thwaites Dark Mild wins first of its two Champion Beer of Britain awards.
1980
Shire Inns (now Shire Hotels) was founded with The Millstone at mellor. A room was £11 per night.
1981
Stein Pilsner introduced.
1984
Further expansion when Yates and Jackson of Lancaster acquired for £5m+
1984
Cottons Hotel in Knutsford, Cheshire joins the Shire Inns group. It was a pub bought by Thwaites back in 1956.
1985
Thwaites Dray horses are awarded freedom of Blackburn after 25 years service to the community.
1985
The North Lakes hotel opens in Penrith, one of the first hotels in the UK to offer a large indoor pool to guests.
1986
HRH Princess Anne unveils plaque at Star Brewery, which has undergone £4m of investment.
1990
A move south for Shire Inns, with the Aztec Hotel & Spa, Bristol, the first hotel outside our north west heartland.
1990
A second southern hotel, as the Solent Hotel & Spa, Fareham opens
1993
Kettering Park Hotel & Spa opens in Northamptonshire, just off the new A14 link road.
1994
The Daniel Thwaites Charitable Trust is launched.
1996
Thwaites launches the Northern Smoothie, Thwaites Smooth.
1998
Thwaites begin distribution of Warsteiner.
1999
40th Year of Travel Scholarship
2000
Ann Yerburgh becomes Chairman.
2001
Prince Charles toasts Thwaites Beers at Craven Heifer, Stainforth.
2002
A new hotel in Leeds with the Thorpe Park Hotel & Spa, which later that year went on to win a prestigious Catey award.
2002
Launch of Lancaster Bomber and Thwaites expand into Yorkshire purchasing 28 pubs. Thwaites Theatre opens in Blackburn.
2004
Thwaites expand into South Yorkshire with multi-million pound purchase of Rosewood Pub Company.
2004
Shire Hotels wins the coveted AA Hotel Group of the Year, which was followed in 2005 by the RAC Hotel Group of the Year
2005
Thwaites sign England all rounder Andrew Flintoff to be face of Lancaster Bomber. Man of the Series Flintoff helps England regain the Ashes.
2007
Thwaites celebrate 200 years of brewing excellence.
2011
Thwaites Inns of Character collection is launched
2012
The Fleece in Cirencester re-opens as an Inn of Character.
2012
Thwaites Pub Co. win the Publican Awards Best Tenanted Operator - over 200 sites.
2013
Thwaites Inns of Character win the Publican Award for Best Accommodation Operator
2014
Judge's Lodging in York is the latest addition to the Inns of Character - re-opening after a £2.2m investment on 1st July 2014
2015
Thwaites sell Beer Co., free trade accounts and Wainwright & Bomber brands to Marston's
2016
Shire Hotels and Inns of Character come back under our Thwaites family name
Our Hotels & Spas win AA Hotel Group of the Year 2016-17
2016
Our Story
In a world that's changing faster than ever, it’s comforting that some things endure the passage of time. It is over two centuries since Daniel Thwaites set out from the Lake District to make a new life for himself away from the family farm.
Daniel built up his brewery with an eye for quality and a generous blend of innovation, craftsmanship and warm hospitality. Who would have believed, six generations later, that his family would be continuing the adventure, still striving for brewing perfection, and now with a growing collection of pubs, inns, hotels and spas.
Today, our Company flourishes and remains steadfastly faithful to Daniel’s principles. Independent and full of character, we proudly continue the journey he started, constantly looking for improvement, always seeking to give you an experience that’s second to none.
Welcome to Thwaites.
1777
Daniel Thwaites born.
1784
Betty Duckworth was born, who was to marry Daniel Thwaites later in life.
1807
Daniel Thwaites becomes a partner in the Eanam Brewery.
1824
Eanam Brewery becomes the sole property of Daniel Thwaites.
1843
Daniel Thwaites dies. Brothers Daniel II, John and Thomas inherit the brewery.
1858
Daniel II becomes sole owner of brewery as brother John retires.
1863
Blackburn Snig Brook Brewery acquired.
1875
Daniel II becomes the MP for Blackburn.
1888
Elma Thwaites inherits the brewery after Daniel II dies.
1897
Thwaites becomes limited company.
1923
Thwaites starts expansion after James Pickup and Co Wines and Spirits and Henry Shaw are purchased.
1925
Double Ben introduced and Thwaites begins to bottle its beers.
1957
Old Dan brewed to celebrate 150th anniversary
1960
Thwaites Scholarship initiated by John Yerburgh and Thwaites re-introduce dray horses.
1966
Eanam becomes Star Brewery - extended at a cost of £1.5m.
1972
Opening of new bottled beer and keg store.
1978
Thwaites Dark Mild wins first of its two Champion Beer of Britain awards.
1980
Shire Inns (now Shire Hotels) was founded with The Millstone at mellor. A room was £11 per night.
1981
Stein Pilsner introduced.
1984
Further expansion when Yates and Jackson of Lancaster acquired for £5m+
1984
Cottons Hotel in Knutsford, Cheshire joins the Shire Inns group. It was a pub bought by Thwaites back in 1956.
1985
Thwaites Dray horses are awarded freedom of Blackburn after 25 years service to the community.
1985
The North Lakes hotel opens in Penrith, one of the first hotels in the UK to offer a large indoor pool to guests.
1986
HRH Princess Anne unveils plaque at Star Brewery, which has undergone £4m of investment.
1990
A move south for Shire Inns, with the Aztec Hotel & Spa, Bristol, the first hotel outside our north west heartland.
1990
A second southern hotel, as the Solent Hotel & Spa, Fareham opens
1993
Kettering Park Hotel & Spa opens in Northamptonshire, just off the new A14 link road.
1994
The Daniel Thwaites Charitable Trust is launched.
1996
Thwaites launches the Northern Smoothie, Thwaites Smooth.
1998
Thwaites begin distribution of Warsteiner.
1999
40th Year of Travel Scholarship
2000
Ann Yerburgh becomes Chairman.
2001
Prince Charles toasts Thwaites Beers at Craven Heifer, Stainforth.
2002
A new hotel in Leeds with the Thorpe Park Hotel & Spa, which later that year went on to win a prestigious Catey award.
2002
Launch of Lancaster Bomber and Thwaites expand into Yorkshire purchasing 28 pubs. Thwaites Theatre opens in Blackburn.
2004
Thwaites expand into South Yorkshire with multi-million pound purchase of Rosewood Pub Company.
2004
Shire Hotels wins the coveted AA Hotel Group of the Year, which was followed in 2005 by the RAC Hotel Group of the Year
2005
Thwaites sign England all rounder Andrew Flintoff to be face of Lancaster Bomber. Man of the Series Flintoff helps England regain the Ashes.
2007
Thwaites celebrate 200 years of brewing excellence.
2011
Thwaites Inns of Character collection is launched
2012
The Fleece in Cirencester re-opens as an Inn of Character.
2012
Thwaites Pub Co. win the Publican Awards Best Tenanted Operator - over 200 sites.
2013
Thwaites Inns of Character win the Publican Award for Best Accommodation Operator
2014
Judge's Lodging in York is the latest addition to the Inns of Character - re-opening after a £2.2m investment on 1st July 2014
2015
Thwaites sell Beer Co., free trade accounts and Wainwright & Bomber brands to Marston's
2016
Shire Hotels and Inns of Character come back under our Thwaites family name
Our Hotels & Spas win AA Hotel Group of the Year 2016-17
2016