The White Lion can be seen accessible from Market Place or Cank Street. Development has taken place around it. The entrance in the Market place is now down a passageway next to where Gadsby’s Shop, now is no. 22 Market Place. Little wonder there is very scant photographic evidence available.
Billson wrote that the White Lion has been there since the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, although much altered. It was certainly one of Leicester’s major inns, with auctions and all manner of meetings being held here. From circa 1760s, sales of stocking frames took place here.
Drawing above, 1740s of the White Lion has the name William Birstall as keeper. There is another drawing circulating of the same period that names the it the Red Lion. This can probably discounted as a mistake with no other evidence of a ‘Red Lion’ on the north side of the Market Place.
The White Lion closed its doors circa 1923. Elizabeth Wherry being the last licensee.