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.
Staffordshire, DUKE WILLIAM, Stoke-on-Trent. The Duke William, originally built in 1815, but included on the inventory for its a largely intact 1930’s interior, closed in August. Licensee Stephen Udall had only re-opened the pub in July. See: MSN. The pub, which is owned by Sunset Taverns, has had a recent chequered past with the previous landlord also struggling to make the business a success. Gerry Hahlo from Pub Heritage Group tried to visit at the end of August to find it closed and heard the worrying news that it is intended to be converted to flats. The pub is grade II listed so has this protection. But the news is very concerning – any further updates welcome. See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.
Greater London East, EASTBROOK, Dagenham. The planning application to convert the upper floors of the grade II*Eastbrook, one of the best preserved 1930’s pubs in London, to hotel use has been approved. The Pub Heritage Group did object (see February bulletin) as the application included repurposing the ground floor neo-Tudor Oak Room into a reception area for the hotel. The pub remains open with the works due to start in ‘two or so years’ time’ according to a social media post from the pub wanting to allay fears of closure. The Oak Room is currently not in regular use but opens for special occasions or at busy times and visitors can ask to see it. The spectacular Walnut Room remains open, so worth a visit for this alone! See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.
Mid Wales, CROWN & ANCHOR, LLanidloes. We last reported on this unspoilt town pub, which closed in October 2022, in January when moves were afoot to initiate a community buyout. We hear from Simon Davies of Montgomery CAMRA and Neil Fitzpatrick-Reeves of the Crown and Anchor Restoration Project (CARP) that a Community Benefit Society is being set up and they are in the process of organising a share offer, with shares to be offered at a minimum purchase price of £25. Glad to hear they are fully committed to preserving the historic interior of the pub. Once a website for the project is up & running, we shall let you know. In the meantime, to keep up to date see their facebook group: Crown & Anchor Restoration Project. Hopefully they can follow in the footsteps of the Drewe Arms, which re-opened in March this year following a successful community buy-out. See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.
North West Wales, DOUGLAS ARMS HOTEL, Bethesda. The Douglas Arms was built as a coaching inn around 1820 and has been in the Davies family since 1913 with little change since the 1930s. We reported that it closed and was put up for sale in April 2022. Sadly, it is still up for sale with an asking price of £475,000 See: Right Move. Clive Wormsley of Gwynedd A Mon CAMRA reports that the local community investigated potential purchase – but nothing came of this. We understand the family still wish to sell it as a pub so let’s hope a suitable buyer comes forward soon. See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.
Two Star Heritage Pubs
East Yorkshire, POLAR BEAR, Hull. We last reported on the Polar Bear in August 2023 when owners Polar Bear Music Club had made unauthorised changes to the grade II listed pub including what can only be described as crude and unsympathetic alterations to the back bar- the bar having one of only 14 surviving ceramic counters in the UK. The owners were ordered to reinstate the back bar and address other unauthorised changes, but have submitted a listed building consent application to gain approval for the back bar and external signage alterations. Thankfully the Hull City Council Conservation Officer, Stephen Walker, is sticking to his guns and continues to object to the works remaining insistent that the various unauthorised works to the interior and exterior are addressed and remedied. Hull City CAMRA have lodged an objection to the application supporting the conservation officer’s position. To read the conservation officer’s report (with photographs) – see the document ‘Conservation Comments’: Hull City Council . See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.
Cumbria, PHEASANT INN, Bassenthwaite Lake. In February 2023 we reported that drinks were no longer being served from the public bar of the Pheasant Hotel– considered the finest interwar hotel bar in England. The good news is that that this bar is now manned at all times. However, the original triple handpump cabinet which was located to the back of the bar has been removed and replaced with a bottle fridge. Handpumps have now been installed on the bar counter. Thanks to Hugh Price for this update. See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.
West Midlands, FALCON, Willenhall. Following a devastating fire that gutted the interior and subsequent planning approval to turn it into a House of Multiple Occupancy, the Falcon was put up for sale by auction in September and has been sold. Thanks to Darren Clayton for the update. The Falcon has been removed from the inventory.
One Star Heritage Pubs
Kent, CASTLE INN, Chiddingstone. The Castle Inn, located in a building probably dating to the 16th Century, retains a very traditional small public bar, and is situated in the picturesque village of Chiddingstone, which was bought by the National Trust in 1939. The Castle closed suddenly in June after a cavity was discovered underneath the pub. Works are ongoing to make this structurally safe and we will update you when it reopens. See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.
Greater Manchester, ROYDS ARMS, Rochdale. A planning application has been submitted to convert The Royds Arms, which has been closed for more than a year, into apartments. See: Rochdale Online. Rochdale Oldham & Bury CAMRA are looking into the application. See the entry on the Pub Heritage web site.
Greater London West, KINGS ARMS, Hanwell. We reported on the closure of the Kings Arms in the February bulletin. It has now reopened as an Asian restaurant and bar. Many internal alterations have taken place including removal of both the original bar counters and the bar back. Consequently it has now been removed from the inventory.
West Midlands, BELL, Bloxwich. This early 20th Century corner-site pub is reported long term closed. Any updates welcome.
Other Items of Interest
CAMRA Heritage Award.
Time is running out to nominate a pub for the inaugural Heritage Award before the closing date of 12th November. The Heritage Award celebrates the successful revitalisation of a heritage pub that is included on the National Inventory at Three, Two or One Star. For further information see: CAMRA Pub Saving Award
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 
Staffordshire, DUKE WILLIAM, Stoke-on-Trent. The Duke William, originally built in 1815, but included on the inventory for its a largely intact 1930’s interior, closed in August. Licensee Stephen Udall had only re-opened the pub in July. See: 
Greater London East, EASTBROOK, Dagenham. The planning application to convert the upper floors of the grade II*Eastbrook, one of the best preserved 1930’s pubs in London, to hotel use has been approved. The Pub Heritage Group did object (see February bulletin) as the application included repurposing the ground floor neo-Tudor Oak Room into a reception area for the hotel. The pub remains open with the works due to start in ‘two or so years’ time’ according to a social media post from the pub wanting to allay fears of closure. The Oak Room is currently not in regular use but opens for special occasions or at busy times and visitors can ask to see it. The spectacular Walnut Room remains open, so worth a visit for this alone!
Mid Wales, CROWN & ANCHOR, LLanidloes. We last reported on this unspoilt town pub, which closed in October 2022, in January when moves were afoot to initiate a community buyout. We hear from Simon Davies of Montgomery CAMRA and Neil Fitzpatrick-Reeves of the Crown and Anchor Restoration Project (CARP) that a Community Benefit Society is being set up and they are in the process of organising a share offer, with shares to be offered at a minimum purchase price of £25. Glad to hear they are fully committed to preserving the historic interior of the pub. Once a website for the project is up & running, we shall let you know. In the meantime, to keep up to date see their facebook group: 
North West Wales, DOUGLAS ARMS HOTEL, Bethesda. The Douglas Arms was built as a coaching inn around 1820 and has been in the Davies family since 1913 with little change since the 1930s. We reported that it closed and was put up for sale in April 2022. Sadly, it is still up for sale with an asking price of £475,000 See: 
East Yorkshire, POLAR BEAR, Hull. We last reported on the Polar Bear in August 2023 when owners Polar Bear Music Club had made unauthorised changes to the grade II listed pub including what can only be described as crude and unsympathetic alterations to the back bar- the bar having one of only 14 surviving ceramic counters in the UK. The owners were ordered to reinstate the back bar and address other unauthorised changes, but have submitted a listed building consent application to gain approval for the back bar and external signage alterations. Thankfully the Hull City Council Conservation Officer, Stephen Walker, is sticking to his guns and continues to object to the works remaining insistent that the various unauthorised works to the interior and exterior are addressed and remedied. Hull City CAMRA have lodged an objection to the application supporting the conservation officer’s position. To read the conservation officer’s report (with photographs) – see the document ‘Conservation Comments’: 
Cumbria, PHEASANT INN, Bassenthwaite Lake. In February 2023 we reported that drinks were no longer being served from the public bar of the Pheasant Hotel– considered the finest interwar hotel bar in England. The good news is that that this bar is now manned at all times. However, the original triple handpump cabinet which was located to the back of the bar has been removed and replaced with a bottle fridge. Handpumps have now been installed on the bar counter. Thanks to Hugh Price for this update.
Kent, CASTLE INN, Chiddingstone. The Castle Inn, located in a building probably dating to the 16th Century, retains a very traditional small public bar, and is situated in the picturesque village of Chiddingstone, which was bought by the National Trust in 1939. The Castle closed suddenly in June after a cavity was discovered underneath the pub. Works are ongoing to make this structurally safe and we will update you when it reopens.
Greater Manchester, ROYDS ARMS, Rochdale. A planning application has been submitted to convert The Royds Arms, which has been closed for more than a year, into apartments. See: 