29 Market Street, Tamworth, B79 7LR
Albion Road, Marden, TN12 9DT
Riviera Centre, Torquay
11-13 April 2025
23 Haltwhistle Road, South Woodham Ferrers, CM3 5ZA
Unit 11, Valley Point Industrial Estate, Beddington Farm Road, Beddington, CR0 4WP
Argyle Place, Love Road, Lowestoft, NR32 2NZ
116, Foregate Street, Chester, Chester, CH1 2HH
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Three Star Heritage Pubs
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The CAMRA Pub of the Year finalists have been announced! See: CAMRA Pub of the Year. The overall winner is to be announced in January. Very good to see the following three excellent National Inventory pubs in the running:
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West Midlands, BARTONS ARMS, Birmingham. We are pleased to hear that the Bartons Arms reopened on the 31st August. This famous Birmingham pub was designed by architects James & Lister Lea for Mitchell & Butlers and opened in 1900. It is one of the country’s most impressive pubs from the late Victorian period and there was much concern for its future when the previous tenant quit due to spiralling costs in January. Thankfully owners Oakham Ales have found a new tenant to take it on - See:
West Midlands, WOODMAN, Birmingham. We last reported on the closure of the Woodman in October 2023. Owner John Brearley of Union Inns has contacted us with the excellent news that it is scheduled to reopen on Friday 13th September. Union Inns have undertaken a restoration that promises to return the pub to its Victorian heyday. Designed by James & Lister Lea, the Woodman was completed in 1898 and contains a wonderful original bar and bar back and a fantastic tiled smoke room.
Greater Manchester, ALEXANDRA, Stockport. After a brief closure for refurbishment the Alexandra has now reopened. The pub, built in 1911, has a largely intact five room layout with particularly fine Art Nouveau tile work in the lobby bar. Owners Robinsons Brewery’s refurbishment has focused on the pub’s heritage and has included the removal of the false ceiling in the bar and restoration of the original black and white tiled floor in the gents. See: 
Greater Manchester, SPRINGFIELD HOTEL, Wigan. The Springfield, an opulent brick & terracotta pub built in 1903, closed in July with the leasehold now up for sale by auction with a guide of £435,000: See: 
Berkshire, BELL, Aldworth. Central Southern regional winner, the Bell which has been run by the Hunt/ Macaulay family since the eighteenth century is one of the finest traditional village pubs in the country. The Bell has been the winner of numerous CAMRA awards over the years including the National Pub of the Year in 1990 and 2019.
Lancashire, BLACK HORSE, Preston. The West Pennines regional winner is the impressive Black Horse, built in 1898 with a fabulous Victorian interior including the semicircular ceramic bar – one of only fourteen remaining in the country. The Black Horse has recently received many CAMRA accolades including the Central Lancashire branch pub of the year for two years running.
West Wales, CRESSELLY ARMS, Cresswell Quay. This delightful riverside pub has been run as a pub since 1880 and retains a simple unspoilt interior dating from the Victorian period. Voted Welsh Pub of the Year 2024 it has been going from strength to strength in recent years under the management of landlord Steve Adams.
Nottinghamshire, TURKS HEAD, Retford. The Turks Head, rebuilt in 1936 has been elevated from One to Two Stars due to the many fittings that survive from that period despite the original three-room layout having been opened up. Also, there is very welcome news that an application has been submitted to Historic England to list the pub.
Greater London West, SWAN, Hammersmith. The Swan, run by Nicholsons, has been added to the National Inventory at One Star. Built in 1901 this grand Victorian pub has a spectacular exterior. While the interior has undergone some changes it retains many original features including flamboyant arches, a double staircase, stained glass windows and an elaborate moulded ceiling. The smaller rear room is of particular note containing a large inglenook fireplace and good quality curved panelling.
Worcestershire, BUSH, Worcester. John Czyrko reports the very good news that the Bush has reopened after being closed for over five years. The star feature of the pub is the wonderfully ornate L-shaped bar back.
Greater London East, ROUNDHOUSE, Dagenham. The main bar areas of this imposing pub are closed for a refurbishment with the work due to be completed in October. The Roundhouse, built in 1936, is a classic example of a large interwar pub. It was built to serve the nearby Beacontree housing estate with facilities not restricted to drinking - originally it had a tea room and also an indoor bowling green. The unusual design is the work of specialist pub designer Alfred W Blomfield. Whilst most of the fittings are replacements you still get a good sense of the original spaces. The pub is not listed, and any updates following re-opening would be welcome.
Cornwall, ROSELAND INN, Philleigh. The Roseland Inn, located on the Roseland peninsula, has reopened this summer after being sold by Punch Taverns. The pub dates back to the 16th Century and has a three-room layout in a rustic style that has changed little since the 1950s.