We’re excited to introduce our newly revamped website designed to enhance your journey through the world of beer, cider, perry and historic pub interiors.
The new site is still in beta, but we'd love you to try it!
We’re excited to introduce our newly revamped website designed to enhance your journey through the world of beer, cider, perry and historic pub interiors.
Try the new site at https://www1.camra.org.uk/heritage-pubs. We recommend bookmarking this link.
Dave Pickersgill from the Pub Heritage Group has been working on producing guidance for CAMRA branches to produce Local Inventories of pubs of historic interest. The project was launched at the CAMRA AGM in Dundee on April 27th.
A brief summary of the project:
Pub Heritage Group is encouraging the development of local lists (inventories) of pub/club interiors that retain elements of historic interest, including pubs which do not possess sufficient original layout or historic features to qualify for the national listings but are of Local Interest.
Such Local Inventories are driven and controlled by Branches and the inclusion criteria is up to them. For example, a Branch could include pubs:
• which are already on the national listings
• which were previously rated as pubs of ‘some regional interest’ (SRI) but do not qualify as One Star pubs on the national listings
• which have original features, but insufficient to qualify for the national listings
• where the interior has no historic features, but the exterior is either (i) of high quality or (ii) has specific features of interest.
We encourage all branches to look towards creating such lists and taking steps to publicise their work. More information and detailed resources are available on the PHG website: Local Inventories. See: Creating Local Inventories.
Also see What’s Brewing article for further information: What’s Brewing.
Thanks to Dave for all his hard work.
Three Star Heritage Pubs
West Yorkshire, NEW BEEHIVE, Bradford. We reported on the shocking decision by the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council to approve change of use in the March bulletin. Acting on this Paul Ainsworth has sent a letter to the council on behalf of CAMRA objecting to and questioning the legality of the decision because it failed to take account of the National Planning Policy Framework’s policy on retaining community facilities. The council has been asked to revoke the planning permission. If this is not forthcoming then the matter will be taken to Judicial Review, where in light of recent precedents, we are confident of a successful outcome. The story has been covered by the press- see: Telegraph & Argus. See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.
Worcestershire, PAUL PRY, Worcester. We are very sad to hear of the death of landlord Alex Pope who died suddenly in January aged 39. We reported in the July 2022 bulletin when the Pope family had bought the freehold of the pub - which remains open. Thanks to Mark Haslam for informing us. See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.
Tayside, SPEEDWELL BAR, Dundee. Congratulations to all at the Speedwell Bar for being awarded Tayside CAMRA’s Pub of the Year & Dundee City Pub of the Year 2024 - both awards for the second year running! The Speedwell has a lovely Edwardian interior and is known as ‘Mennie’s’ after the family that kept it from the 1920’s until 1995. See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.
Two Star Heritage Pubs
Greater London South East, FELLOWSHIP INN, Catford. The Fellowship Inn reopened on April 23rd after closing suddenly in October 2023. This was following an ambitious redevelopment by owners Phoenix Housing Association that was completed a year earlier. Built in 1923-4, it is one of London’s largest pubs and a great example of an ‘improved’ public house with separate public and saloon bars, an off-sales (now café), a function room and even a cinema. Thanks to Roger Corbett for this good news. See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.
Gloucestershire & Bristol, NOVA SCOTIA, Bristol. We hear that this wonderfully atmospheric harbourside pub will close in May. We understand the current licensee’s lease is not being renewed by Heineken Star Pubs & Bars – who are taking it into their managed portfolio. Fortunately, it is grade II listed, so hopefully there will not be any changes to the interior. Thanks to Trevor Cromie for this news – any further information welcome. See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.
Norfolk, GATEHOUSE, Norwich. This attractive ‘improved’ public house, which was built in 1934 has been shut since April 2023 following the death of the landlord. We now hear that Asset of Community Value status has been reinstated and a meeting was recently held by the community to look into future community ownership when it comes on the market. Thanks to Ian Stamp for the update. See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.
West Midlands, PRETTY BRICKS, Walsall. Gary Timmins reports that changes to the interior have resulted in part of the screen attached to the bar being removed to enable new glass cleaning facilities meaning that some fresh assessment will be required. The pub, which is not listed, was built in 1840 with much of the interior dating from a remodelling in 1924. Its name is due to its attractive glazed brick frontage. See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.
One Star Heritage Pubs
Aberdeen & Grampian, DOUGLAS ARMS HOTEL, Banchory. We reported on the closure of the Douglas Arms in March 2023 when it was put up for sale. It has now reopened and is being run by the owners of the nearby Burnett Arms Hotel. The public bar consists of a classic Scottish long bar counter dating to a refitting of 1900. See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.
Oxfordshire, OLDE REINE DEER INN, Banbury. The inventory status of the Olde Reine Deer Inn has been changed from Two Star to One Star as the only room of significant, i.e. Two Star worthy, importance is the Globe Room. However, this is no longer in everyday public use and access has to be specially requested. The pub itself contains historic features but has been much altered and One Star is the appropriate grading for it. See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.
Some additions to the Inventory at One Star:
Warwickshire, OLD SWAN, Atherstone. Occupying an attractive 16th Century timber framed building, The Old Swan’s interior has remained essentially unchanged since a comprehensive refit of 1962, which created the current layout of public bar at the front, lounge and snug. No pictures yet on the website. See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.
Northern Ireland, DENVIR’S HOTEL, Downpatrick. Included for its little altered small bar which is thought to be Victorian and consists of a white painted bar counter and old back bar with mirrored panels. See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.
Kent, UNICORN, Canterbury. The Unicorn has been a licensed premises since 1664. The interior is included for its discernible multi-room layout and fittings from 1930s and post war modernisations. In particular the central bar has an attractive sloped ribbed front and there is bench seating and panelling from the same period. See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.
Due to changes the following pubs that were previously all One Star have been removed from the Inventory:
Cross Guns, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
Robert Peel, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
Gamecock, Birchmoor, Warwickshire
Cricketers Arms, Maybank, Staffordshire
Other Items of Interest
Vulcan, Cardiff. We reported on the rebuilding of this former regional inventory pub at St Fagan’s National Museum in February. It has now been confirmed that it will reopen on the 11th May. See: Amgueddfa Cymru. Thanks to Tim Havill for the update.
Beer Magazine. The Spring edition is available here: BEER Magazine.(CAMRA login required). The article by Mick Slaughter on Pages 42-45 features a trip around some wonderful Welsh inventory pubs with accompanying photos.
Please feel free to forward this bulletin to your friends who are also interested in visiting pubs like these - if they wish to receive future bulletins direct all they have to do is sign up by sending an email to bulletin@pubheritage.camra.org.uk with the word “subscribe” as the subject or “unsubscribe” if you wish to stop receiving bulletins.
Pub Heritage 
West Yorkshire, NEW BEEHIVE, Bradford. We reported on the shocking decision by the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council to approve change of use in the March bulletin. Acting on this Paul Ainsworth has sent a letter to the council on behalf of CAMRA objecting to and questioning the legality of the decision because it failed to take account of the National Planning Policy Framework’s policy on retaining community facilities. The council has been asked to revoke the planning permission. If this is not forthcoming then the matter will be taken to Judicial Review, where in light of recent precedents, we are confident of a successful outcome. The story has been covered by the press- see: 
Worcestershire, PAUL PRY, Worcester. We are very sad to hear of the death of landlord Alex Pope who died suddenly in January aged 39. We reported in the July 2022 bulletin when the Pope family had bought the freehold of the pub - which remains open. Thanks to Mark Haslam for informing us.
Tayside, SPEEDWELL BAR, Dundee. Congratulations to all at the Speedwell Bar for being awarded Tayside CAMRA’s Pub of the Year & Dundee City Pub of the Year 2024 - both awards for the second year running! The Speedwell has a lovely Edwardian interior and is known as ‘Mennie’s’ after the family that kept it from the 1920’s until 1995.
Greater London South East, FELLOWSHIP INN, Catford. The Fellowship Inn reopened on April 23rd after closing suddenly in October 2023. This was following an ambitious redevelopment by owners Phoenix Housing Association that was completed a year earlier. Built in 1923-4, it is one of London’s largest pubs and a great example of an ‘improved’ public house with separate public and saloon bars, an off-sales (now café), a function room and even a cinema. Thanks to Roger Corbett for this good news.
Gloucestershire & Bristol, NOVA SCOTIA, Bristol. We hear that this wonderfully atmospheric harbourside pub will close in May. We understand the current licensee’s lease is not being renewed by Heineken Star Pubs & Bars – who are taking it into their managed portfolio. Fortunately, it is grade II listed, so hopefully there will not be any changes to the interior. Thanks to Trevor Cromie for this news – any further information welcome.
Norfolk, GATEHOUSE, Norwich. This attractive ‘improved’ public house, which was built in 1934 has been shut since April 2023 following the death of the landlord. We now hear that Asset of Community Value status has been reinstated and a meeting was recently held by the community to look into future community ownership when it comes on the market. Thanks to Ian Stamp for the update.
West Midlands, PRETTY BRICKS, Walsall. Gary Timmins reports that changes to the interior have resulted in part of the screen attached to the bar being removed to enable new glass cleaning facilities meaning that some fresh assessment will be required. The pub, which is not listed, was built in 1840 with much of the interior dating from a remodelling in 1924. Its name is due to its attractive glazed brick frontage.
Aberdeen & Grampian, DOUGLAS ARMS HOTEL, Banchory. We reported on the closure of the Douglas Arms in March 2023 when it was put up for sale. It has now reopened and is being run by the owners of the nearby Burnett Arms Hotel. The public bar consists of a classic Scottish long bar counter dating to a refitting of 1900.
Oxfordshire, OLDE REINE DEER INN, Banbury. The inventory status of the Olde Reine Deer Inn has been changed from Two Star to One Star as the only room of significant, i.e. Two Star worthy, importance is the Globe Room. However, this is no longer in everyday public use and access has to be specially requested. The pub itself contains historic features but has been much altered and One Star is the appropriate grading for it.
Northern Ireland, DENVIR’S HOTEL, Downpatrick. Included for its little altered small bar which is thought to be Victorian and consists of a white painted bar counter and old back bar with mirrored panels..jpg)
Kent, UNICORN, Canterbury. The Unicorn has been a licensed premises since 1664. The interior is included for its discernible multi-room layout and fittings from 1930s and post war modernisations. In particular the central bar has an attractive sloped ribbed front and there is bench seating and panelling from the same period.