Ever wonder about the story behind a name? The Tally Ho pub stands here in North Finchley. It’s more than just a place for a pint. Its name echoes a time of stagecoaches and hunting cries. The Tally Ho’s story begins at Tally Ho Corner. This is where Ballards Lane meets the High Road.
Let’s step back in time. The pub itself dates back to 1927. But the corner’s name is much older. Some say it started with the Tally Ho Coach Company. This company supposedly kept horses nearby in the 1830s. They used the horses for changes on the London to Birmingham route. Sixteen horses were stabled here. However some doubt this story. It’s argued the site was too close to London for a horse change. Evidence of this company is scarce.
Before The Tally Ho pub, the Park Road Hotel stood here. It was built in the 1860s. The Tally Ho replaced it. The Stonegate Pub Company now runs the pub. It changed hands a few years ago. The phrase “Tally Ho” has interesting roots. Hunters traditionally cried it when sighting their quarry. It then became associated with fast coaches.
Now think about the name itself. “Tally-ho” dates back to around 1772. It likely comes from the French “taïaut”. This was a cry to excite hounds during deer hunts. “Taïaut” may come from a war cry “taille haut” meaning “swords up”.
The cry was used in fox hunting. The huntsman alerted others to the fox’s sighting. The Royal Air Force used it too. Pilots announced they were engaging enemy aircraft. HMS Tally-Ho, a submarine, carried the name proudly. NASA astronauts even use “Tally-ho”. They use it to signal sightings of spacecraft.
Sarah Mountain operated a fast stagecoach called Tally-ho in 1823. It ran between London and Birmingham. Soon other coaches adopted the name. It became a common term for a fast coach. In the United States, “tally-ho” describes a large sightseeing coach.
So, The Tally Ho pub connects to a rich history. It is a history of hunting cries, stagecoaches, and even space travel. Next time you’re here raise a glass. Think about the stories behind this famous name. It is a name that links a London pub to centuries of British history. The Tally Ho is more than just a pub. It’s a landmark with a tale to tell.