From Pints to Private Home: A Canine Catastrophe
Unicorn Cottage may appear today as a peaceful family home tucked away in rural Cambridgeshire, but its walls once echoed with the lively chatter, clinking glasses and community spirit of a village pub. Known historically as The Unicorn, it was the last public house operating in the small village of Kings Ripton — outlasting its neighbour, The Cock Inn, which closed in the 1920s.
For generations, The Unicorn served as a social hub for the community. Villagers gathered for ale, gossip, celebrations, and the simple warmth of rural pub life. But while its convivial history is a story in itself, one event in particular stands out — a dramatic moment from January 1987 that made its way into the local newspapers.
The Night the Unicorn Caught Fire
In January 1987, shortly after last orders had been called, a fire broke out in the upstairs living quarters of the pub. Staff and customers were quickly and safely evacuated — but one resident was unaccounted for: Casey, the family’s beloved dog.
As smoke filled the upper rooms, Casey had retreated beneath a bed, terrified and trapped. Firefighters arriving at the scene raced to reach her, eventually carrying the unconscious dog to safety outside the burning building.
What happened next became the heartwarming centrepiece of the newspaper article discovered years later in the cottage.
A Rescue Worth Reporting
Once outside, firefighters immediately administered oxygen to the stricken dog — a practice not yet commonplace in the 1980s. For fifteen tense minutes, the crew worked to revive Casey as villagers and pub-goers stood anxiously nearby.
Finally, to everyone’s relief, Casey began to recover. The newspaper recorded the firefighter’s quick thinking and the dog’s remarkable survival, turning what could have been a tragic end to the night into a story of community, care and canine resilience.
Source: Peterborough Evening Telegraph Jan 24 1987
A New Life as Unicorn Cottage
The Unicorn pub eventually closed its doors for good, joining many rural pubs across the UK that shut during the late 20th century. The building was later converted into a private residence and became known as Unicorn Cottage, a name that preserves its public-house heritage.
Today, nothing on the quiet lane suggests the bustle of the old village pub, nor the dramatic night when firefighters saved a much-loved dog. But traces of its past remain:
the original name
its traditional pub layout
remnants of fixtures and features
and, of course, the newspaper clipping documenting the 1987 fire
Together, they form part of the home’s layered story — one that adds charm and character to an already special property.
Why Stories Like This Matter
Homes that were once pubs, schools, vicarages or community buildings often hold rich, unusual histories that get lost when the building becomes a private residence. Old newspaper reports, such as this one found inside Unicorn Cottage, can reveal moments of local drama, everyday life, and personal triumph that don’t appear in deeds or official records.
Researching and preserving these stories ensures they’re not forgotten — and helps homeowners feel connected to the past lives of their house.
Uncover Your Home’s Hidden Past
At The House Chronicles Co, we specialise in researching homes with unique or complex histories — including former pubs, old school houses, glebe cottages and vicarages.
For properties like Unicorn Cottage, our Heritage Chronicles Package provides the most comprehensive research, bringing together archival documents, local history, parish records, newspaper archives and more.
