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Swan & Mitre

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West Midlands - Birmingham

Two star - A pub interior of very special national historic interest

This pub is currently closed (since 01/01/2015)

Closed since 2015. No planning applications have been lodged in respect of the site.

Listed Status: II

305 Lichfield Road
Birmingham, Aston
B6 7ST

Tel: (0121) 326 0771

Nearby Station: Aston

Station Distance: 50m

Public Transport: Near Railway Station (Aston) and Bus Stop

Bus: Yes

View on: Whatpub

UPDATE MAY 2024 The pub has been closed since 2015. No planning applications have been lodged in respect of the site.

The fine brick and terracotta exterior here reveals the hands of those prolific local architects, James & Lister Lea, who rebuilt the pub for Holt's Brewery in 1898. The interior was well refurbished in 1984 and the fittings in the main front bar are largely restored originals. The impressive bar counter has been truncated on the left though the decorated plaster ceiling and benches with mirrored glass above are authentic. The lobby at the side and the rear tiled hall are unaltered. There is extensive floor-to-ceiling tiling in the rear passages and stairs.

Rebuilt by James & Lister Lea for Holt Brewery 1898. Fine brick and terracotta exterior with large arched stained and leaded windows, Dutch gables and corner cupola. The interior was refurbished in sympathetic style after vandalism in 1984. The main front bar is nicely restored with a good old bar counter and carved bar-back with etched glass; benches with mirrored panels above; decorated plaster ceiling; sloping floor. Not sure about the details of the refurbishment after 1984, but the fittings in the front bar do look quite authentic (maybe the bar-back is a very good copy?). The bar counter is truncated on the left: the bar-back and shelves extend beyond the end of the counter. Two front doors to the bar are now disused - the corner one has a surviving canopy to the former internal lobby. A lobby at the side, and the rear tiled hall is very good. Small rear smoke room is used for pool and has had most furniture removed; two Holt Brewery etched windows survive, however. There are three delicate stained glass windows in the rear hall and smoke room.
Listed desc. says:"Interior: The bars have Jacobean style wooden bar backs and bar fronts with fluted pilasters, arched mirrors and clocks above. The smoke-room has an imported wooden chimney-piece with bulbous colonnettes flanking the overmantel mirror. The passage and stairs have tiled walls and the staircase has turned newels and balusters. Note: Formerly known as The Swanpool Tavern."

Full Description