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.
Three Star heritage pubs
North Star, Steventon, Oxfordshire
The North Star (pictured), one of the best preserved basic rural pubs in the UK, has been closed since September 2025. Significant repair work is needed to the roof, and the pub is unlikely to reopen before September this year, when a new tenant is due to take over. The main bar at the North Star is one of the finest examples of a historic pub room, consisting of a snug formed by high backed settles centred around the fireplace. The pub itself is one of only seven traditional pubs without a bar counter, with service being via a stable door from the ground-floor cellar. The North Star is Grade-II listed, with the listing upgraded to include a description of the interior following an application by the Pub Heritage Group in 2022. The pub has been run by the Cox family since 1842 and is still in family ownership.
Waggon and Horses, Oldbury, West Midlands (above)
This red brick and terracotta corner pub, built by Holt’s brewery in 1890, unexpectedly closed in February after eight years of stability. The two-room pub has high-quality tiling from the period, particularly in the superb drinking passageway and public bar. The public bar has an original Victorian bar back and also an unusual copper panel ceiling. The Pub Heritage Group would welcome any further updates.
White Lion, Barthomley, Cheshire (above)
The Grade-II* White Lion, a wonderfully characterful and popular thatched village pub, dates back to 1614. The Pub Heritage Group reported in January 2024 following its closure in September 2023 after Marston’s 20-year lease ended. The owners, the trustees of Lord O’Neill’s estate, are employing agents Fisher German to oversee a restoration project. They were granted listed building consent in August 2024 to undertake necessary repairs to the timber framing as well as reroofing. Despite starting work, a lack of progress or an estimated timescale to reopen is leading to growing frustration among the locals and the parish council, which successfully applied to make the pub an Asset of Community Value in 2023. Find more information on the Save The White Lion Barthomley Facebook group.
Two Star heritage pubs
Herculaneum Bridge, Liverpool, Merseyside (above)
Built in 1902 by Cains brewery, the Herculean Bridge retains its original layout and fittings. The unspoilt Edwardian pub appears to no longer be open to the public but is trading solely as a bed and breakfast. The Pub Heritage Group would welcome any further clarification on the situation.
One Star heritage pubs
Old Red Lion, Finsbury, Greater London Central (above)
The Old Red Lion, rebuilt in 1899, has recently been refurbished after a new owner took over this popular theatre pub in April 2025. Unfortunately, the bar back, which dates from the inter-war period or possibly the 1950s, has been replaced with a modern arrangement but the counter and the pub’s rarest feature – the three-quarter height glazed screen that separates the right-hand bar – has been retained. Despite the removal of the bar back, the refurbishment has respected the pub’s heritage, so it’s One Star status remains intact.
Golden Lion, Port Isaac, Cornwall (above)
The Golden Lion closed 20 February, with owner Cornish Inns (which leases the pub from St Austell brewery) citing the economic climate and lack of tourism trade over the winter months as the reason for the closure. The Golden Lion is a multi-room pub dating back to the 18th-century with views over the picturesque harbour of Port Isaac. Find more information about the closure on Cornwall Live.
Other items of interest
Heritage pubs – how many have you visited?
The Pub Heritage Group would like to thank everyone who replied to the last bulletin. Readers’ favourite National Inventory pub is the Black Horse in Preston and the runner up is the Three Stags Head in Wardlow Mires.
Honourable mentions with multiple votes are:
- Star, Bath
- Castle, Macclesfield
- Albion, Conwy
- Square and Compass, Worth Matravers
- Laurieston, Glasgow
- Beacon Hotel, Sedley
- Fiddichside Inn, Craigellachie
The people who have visited the most National Inventory pubs are:
- Vesa Saarinen: 752
- Michael Croxford: 641
- John Clark: 597
- Tom Aston: 396
- Dennis Turnbull 375 (Three and Two Star pubs only). Dennis is a Canadian living in Vancouver and has made 10 trips to the UK in the last 22 years with a final visit planned for next year.
- Michael Lancaster: 351 (Three and Two Star pubs only)
- Markus Sousa: 320
- Steve Pickard 304: (Three and Two Star pubs only)
- Martin Shallcross: 299 (Three Star pubs only)
- Jeremy Hinks: 243
If you have any news on heritage pubs, send to: info@pubheritage.camra.org.uk
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Photos by Michael Slaughter and Michael Schouten
