CAMRA’s Pub Heritage Group shares news and updates about pubs with historically significant interiors across the UK. For further news see the Pub Heritage Group webpage here.
London’s Real Heritage Pubs
A fully updated edition of London’s Real Heritage Pubs (above) can now be ordered from CAMRA’s online shop.
The new guide, edited by Neil Pettigrew and Rex Ward of the London Pubs Group, provides a well-researched commentary on the interiors of 249 of the capital’s historically important pubs with full-colour photographs and informative articles. Essential reading for any pub heritage enthusiast!
Three Star Heritage Pubs
Star Inn, Netherton, Northumberland (above)
Unaltered for over a century, the Star Inn has finally been given the recognition and protection of statutory listing that it deserves. The Pub Heritage Group have applauded Historic England for its balanced judgement in what would have not been the most straightforward of cases. The listing comes more than a year after the passing of legendary landlady Vera Wilson-Morton (reported in June 2024), the last in line of the family which had owned and run the establishment since 1912.
Station Buffet, Bridlington, East Yorkshire (above)
In May the Pub Heritage Group reported that the Station Buffet, closed since December 2019, had been leased by Belschnickel brewery. According to director Kevin Berthold the Buffet, which is one of only two unaltered licensed station buffets on the main national rail network that survive from before the Second World War, will reopen in spring 2026. The premises licence has been approved, and Belschnickel intends to serve four of its own beers and three cask brews on rotation. The brewery will be in the adjacent old taxi office, and it aims to start brewing as soon as possible.
Bartons Arms, Birmingham, West Midlands (above)
The Bartons Arms, one of the most impressive late-Victorian pubs in the UK, has closed again. The operator closed the pub temporarily on 27 July and has since made the decision not to reopen due to rising costs. The pub had only reopened in August last year following eight months of closure. Oakham Ales owns the freehold and it is hoped that it finds a new operator soon.
Bombay Bar and Grill, Prestonpans, Edinburgh and the Lothians (above)
Formerly the Prestoungrange Gothenburg, the Bombay Bar and Grill reopened 5 August. As the pub is now an Indian restaurant, the emphasis is unsurprisingly on food, but the bar is open to non-diners, although no cask beer is available. Pictures from the reopening show that the Arts and Crafts interior appears unchanged. The pub has struggled in the last few years with a number of operators failing to make a success of it, leading the owner to consider alternative uses.
Old Swan, Netherton, Staffordshire (above)
Landlord Tim Newey, who has been the licensee of the Old Swan (Ma Pardoe’s) for 25 years and has worked at the pub for 47 years, is retiring from the famous brewpub in February. The Old Swan was one of only four surviving pubs with home brewing when CAMRA was formed in 1971 and the Olde Swan brewery is still in operation on the premises. Owner Star Pubs and Bars is seeking a new tenant.
Two Star Heritage Pubs
Polar Bear, Hull, East Yorkshire (above)
The retrospective listed building application submitted by the owner to cover unauthorised works to this grade II-listed pub (which included unsympathetic alterations to the bar back and inappropriate new signage, as reported in September 2024) has been refused by Hull City Council. An enforcement notice to rectify the unauthorised works is due in the near future. The Polar Bear is currently run primarily as a music venue with its standout feature being the ceramic-fronted counter - one of only 14 surviving in the UK. The Polar Bear was previously in the top tier of National Inventory pubs, but unsympathetic changes have led to its demotion to Two Star status.
Cracke, Liverpool, Merseyside (above)
The pub has reopened following a refurbishment, which appears to have been very respectful with its historic features and layout remaining intact. Read more on the Liverpool Echo website here.
Ramsden Arms, Blackpool, Lancashire (above)
The Pub Heritage Group reported on the closure of this 1930s Brewers Tudor pub in June, with the local press reporting fears that it may be earmarked for development. However, owner Star Pubs and Bars is planning to invest in the pub and it will be up for lease in the near future. However, as the pub is not listed, and with a refurbishment planned, the interior is potentially at risk.
One Star Heritage Pubs
Castle Inn, Chiddingstone, Kent (above)
The grade II* Castle Inn, owned by the National Trust, closed in early 2024 following the discovery of a void under the pub. The cavity was caused by the collapse of a previously unknown medieval well. The stabilisation works are complete, and the pub reopened in June.
Redoubt, Wakefield, West Yorkshire (above)
Following a re-assessment, the Redoubt has been regraded from Two to One Star status. It has a good, intact four-room layout, but the fixtures and fittings are relatively recent and so a One Star rating is considered more suitable.
Prospect, Leeds, West Yorkshire
Following a refurbishment which has removed the fixed seating from the lounge, the Prospect has been removed from the National Inventory. The pub is owned by Stonegate and is currently closed.
CAMRA Pub of the Year 2025
The regional and national finalists for CAMRA’s Pub of the Year 2025 have been announced, including two National Inventory pubs. The overall winner is due to be announced in January.
Bell Inn, Aldworth, Berkshire (above)
The Bell is the Central Southern Pub of the Year. It has been run by the Hunt/ Macaulay family since the 18th century and is one of the finest traditional village pubs in the UK. The Bell has been the winner of numerous CAMRA awards over the years including the overall Pub of the Year in 1990 and 2019.
Volunteer Arms (Staggs), Musselburgh, Edinburgh and the Lothians (above)
The Volunteer Arms is the Scotland Pub of the Year. This pub has been run by the same family since it was built in 1858. The well-preserved public bar has a surviving Victorian back gantry with four large spirit casks that are a rare survivor from the late 19th century.
Other news
BEER Magazine
The autumn edition of CAMRA’s BEER Magazine is available to download here. In this issue Dave Pickersgill looks at Local Inventories. Dave is also organising a guided walk of the Little Chicago area of Sheffield on 16 October as part of the Sheffield City Beer Festival.
If you have any news on our heritage pubs contact: info@pubheritage.camra.org.uk
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Photos by Michael Slaughter and Micheal Schouten
