Pub Heritage Corner House
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Devon - Barnstaple
Three star - A pub interior of exceptional national historic importance
Listed Status: Not listed
108 Boutport Street, Barnstaple, DevonBarnstaple
EX31 1SY
Tel: (01271) 343528
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/148874215151238
Real Ale: Yes
Nearby Station: Barnstaple
Station Distance: 850m
Public Transport: Near Railway Station (Barnstaple) and Bus Stop
Bus: Yes
View on: Whatpub
Re-built in 1935 with an Art Deco curved frontage and little altered since - a remarkable survivor, particularly given its town-centre location. The main bar was originally two small rooms which accounts for its current L-shape. The walls sport fielded panelling to three-quarter height plus a curved bar counter with black Formica top, a two-sided bar-back fitting and a 1930s inglenook-style fireplace. The original off-sales is now used for storage. On the right, the snug (now called ‘Garlands’) has more fielded panelling - the bar counter appears to be a replacement from around 1960. The gents are unaltered. A skittle alley occupies a single-storey extension; it has the original ball-run topped by benching on the right side with further seating on the left.
This Victorian pub was remodelled about 1935 and given a curved frontage to the street corner. The Corner House has a remarkably little-altered 1930s interior. Of two doors in the corner lobby one leads to the former off sales on the left (now used for storage) and the other to the main bar. This is L-shaped and is said by the licensee and regulars to have been a single space right from the 1930s: a photo of 1936 in the licensee’s possession shows there was no partition in the area approached from the main entrance, despite what one might read from the spur of a partition and the ceiling beam. It also shows that casks were stillaged in the back fitting which has now been fairly substantially altered. The counter is original with sleek, smooth woodwork and a Formica top, at the extreme ends below the counter are little plates naming the pub fitters, Shapland & Petter of Barnstaple. There is a 1930s fireplace in one corner and the walls have fielded panelling to picture-rail level. There is a wood Shove Ha'penny board permanently affixed to the wall at the rear and the pub is a full participant in the local league.
Behind is a wide hallway with more fielded panelling and a staircase to private accommodation. On the other side is a room called 'Garlands', after Tom Garland, licensee 1933-68, who would have overseen the changes. This has its own servery (with much original work) and more more fielded panelling. It also has an impressive inglenook fireplace with cushioned seats on either side. The gents’ retains its original four Twyford Adamant urinals and tiled walls (the ladies’ loos are modernized). At the rear left is the skittle alley.
Full Description
Behind is a wide hallway with more fielded panelling and a staircase to private accommodation. On the other side is a room called 'Garlands', after Tom Garland, licensee 1933-68, who would have overseen the changes. This has its own servery (with much original work) and more more fielded panelling. It also has an impressive inglenook fireplace with cushioned seats on either side. The gents’ retains its original four Twyford Adamant urinals and tiled walls (the ladies’ loos are modernized). At the rear left is the skittle alley.
