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Berkeley Arms

Pub Heritage Group have recently carried out a regrading of Real Heritage Pubs - click here for full details

Gloucestershire & Bristol - Purton

One star - A pub interior of special national historic interest

This pub is currently closed (since 20/03/2020)

Currently closed but available to let with offer from owners Berkeley Castle Estates to improve/extend the property. Tragically, they have ripped out the bar counter and bar-back so destroying its inventory credentials.

Listed Status: Not listed


Purton
GL13 9HU

OS ref: SO6907304552

Tel: None

Real ale & Cider: Real Ale

View on: Whatpub

UPDATE 2021

It is reported that during the current period of closure, the bar counter and bar-back have been removed. The interior will be re-assessed as and when the pub re-opens.

The description prior to closure is below


About 200 yards from the lift bridge over the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal and with great views out to the River Severn, here we have a no frills, unspoilt rural pub still with a smallholding. Historically, pubs were often combined with other businesses but nowadays this is a real rarity. The central section was extended in the mid-19th century. You enter to a tiny drinking area with a quarry-tiled floor and a bench beneath the window. The servery has an old counter and shelves. Beyond on the left, a separate room has a flagstone floor, large curved high-backed settle, large stone fireplace and a hatch to the side of the servery. The only recent change was the building of indoor toilets in the 1960s. Closed October to Easter. Opens 7pm, also noon to 2pm, Sat. & Sun.
Reached across the lift bridge over the Gloucester & Sharpness canal, this is a completely unspoiled, no-frills rural pub. It doubles up with a smallholding in the way that so many rural pubs did in times gone by. The red-brick building with views of the River Severn has a long history with the central part being extended in the mid 19th century. A part-glazed exterior porch has bare benches on both sides. Through the front door is a hall with a red and black tiled floor laid diagonally and a settle that goes to the private quarters and a door on the left leads to the public bar.

The present arrangement of a tiny drinking area in front of a servery (with old counter and bar-back shelves) probably dates from Victorian times. It has a quarry-tiled floor laid diagonally, old dado panelling and a bare window seat. It is in this tiny area you will find a loyal band of locals drinking and chatting to the licensee about all things local and beyond.

On the left through an old door that is always open is a separate room with a genuinely old flagstone floor, large curved high-backed settle, large stone fireplace with a log burner, two old tables, a piano (which is still played occasionally) and a hatch to the side of the servery. The only recent change was the building of indoor toilets behind this room in the 1960s.

This is one of a fast disappearing type of pub offering the essentials of good conversation and good beer - there is no food, no TV, no pool table, no fruit machine (and piped music is at a very low level).

This pub closes for the winter on 26th October 2015 and will not re-open until 18th March 2016. The hours are 7-10pm plus 12-2 on Sat, Sun and Bank Holidays. When the pub is open the gate will be open so please do not attempt to visit the pub if the gate (where opening hours are displayed) is closed.
Full Description