Pub Heritage Eastfield
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Hampshire - Portsmouth
One star - A pub interior of special national historic interest
Listed Status: II
124 Prince Albert RoadPortsmouth, Eastney
PO4 9HT
Tel: (023) 9275 0102
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/100091391360973
Real Ale: Yes
Station: Yes
Nearby Station: Fratton
Station Distance: 1600m
Public Transport: Near Railway Station (Fratton) and Bus Stop
Bus: Yes
View on: Whatpub
An interesting back-street pub of 1906 and one of many in Portsmouth with fine exterior ceramics, in this case advertising Portsmouth United Breweries (formed by amalgamation in 1896) and their wares. It was designed by well-known pub architect A.E. Cogswell (1856–1934) and now consists of two entirely separate rooms: a public bar on the corner and a saloon, so-named in two sets of etched window glass. There also seems to have been a ‘bottle and jug’ between the two judging by the window glass. Perhaps the most interesting part is the saloon which was much smaller in 1906 but has been extended at the rear. It has rather strange, coarsely detailed full-height panelling the date of which is hard to guess. More attractively there is a sinuously-shaped counter which, judging by the ply-panelling probably dates from the 1950s or ’60s (the similarly shaped canopy above is no doubt from the same scheme along with the brick fireplaces). A snug has been created on the rear right.
One of Portsmouth's most ornate pubs built in 1906 for Portsmouth United Breweries by famous pub architect A E Cogswell, this large imposing Edwardian pub in the back streets of Eastney has a glazed brick exterior, a raised ceramic fascia of ‘United Pale Ales’ and ‘The Eastfield Hotel’ on the Prince Albert Road side and ‘The Eastfield Hotel’ and ‘United Pale Ales & Stout’ on the Eastfield Road side; with a balustrade and topped by four gabled pediments. The public bar was originally two rooms and a Bottle & Jug Dept. at the rear right, but was knocked into one room in c.1960 (or later?). It retains a good vestibule entrance with original etched panels, some Edwardian ‘Eastfield Hotel’ windows, fixed seating in bays that could date from the 1960s, but the plain bar counter and bar back are modern, possibly from the 1960s or later.
However, the lounge bar has more interesting fittings and research has confirmed there were post-war alterations. There is another good vestibule entrance with ‘Saloon Bar’ etched panels and the room appears to be a refit from the late 1950s/early 1960s but some of the fittings may be inter-war. The walls have 1950s looking panelling (but could be 1930s?), what could be a 1930s distinctive curving counter with very c.1960s ply panels and Formica top, a bar back almost Art Deco in style which could also date from the 1930s (or 1950s?), one brick fireplace that reaches the ceiling and another small brick one which could both date from the 1950s. This room was originally two rooms – the door on the rear wall has been blocked up by the panelling; also a room has been brought into use for pool and is accessed via a couple of archways.
Full Description
However, the lounge bar has more interesting fittings and research has confirmed there were post-war alterations. There is another good vestibule entrance with ‘Saloon Bar’ etched panels and the room appears to be a refit from the late 1950s/early 1960s but some of the fittings may be inter-war. The walls have 1950s looking panelling (but could be 1930s?), what could be a 1930s distinctive curving counter with very c.1960s ply panels and Formica top, a bar back almost Art Deco in style which could also date from the 1930s (or 1950s?), one brick fireplace that reaches the ceiling and another small brick one which could both date from the 1950s. This room was originally two rooms – the door on the rear wall has been blocked up by the panelling; also a room has been brought into use for pool and is accessed via a couple of archways.
