The Cradock Arms is one of few buildings that exists today
from the little village of 'Old Knighton', dating back to the
17th century. Back then as one of only two pubs in the
village, the Cradock was originally named the Bulls Head. In
1855 it was renamed "The Cradock-Hartopp Arms after
the Oxford Baronet, Sir Edmond Craddock-Hartopp, who
owned the hall and most of Knighton parish at that time. It
was in 1907 that TW Everard leased the pub from the
Craddock family, and by 1925 it was fully transferred into the
Everards estate
Local rumour has it that the Craddock family bought the pub
from the Church. However, after a minor argument between
the local church it was agreed that the family could only have
the pub if they removed one 'd' in order to remove any
relationship to Craddock Church, hence the pub is only spelt
with one 'd, The Cradock.
The origins of the ancient name Craddock belong to the rich
Celtic tradition that comes from Wales. The surname was
derived from the Welsh personal name Caradoc, meaning
"amiable". This name was made famous by the ancient Welsh
military leader Caratacos, whose name was Latinized as
Caratacus. He was celebrated for his opposition to the
Roman occupation of Britain, and was taken to Rome as a
prisoner circa 51 AD.