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Portland Arms, Cambridge

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1930s, Basil Oliver designed, public house overlooking the tranquility of the Mitchams Corner gyratory traffic system. The main bar is opulently wood paneled with a real fire and comfortable seating. The smaller bar has a pool table and leads onto a courtyard garden. It is listed on the National Inventory as having a historic pub interior of some regional importance. Guest beers may be from the Greene King guest list but also from local breweries, including Milton. Real ciders available except in winter. Good selection bottled and canned craft beers. Food is provided in house by Oscar's Pizzas. Major music venue with bands performing regularly in sound proofed back room which can accommodate 200 people. Beer festivals are also held.

Awards

  • Cambridge & District Branch Young Members Pub of the Year 2024

Information for this venue is provided by the Cambridge Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
Cambridge District (B)
Last updated
11/07/2025
Last surveyed
23/01/2022
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
Greene King
Pub ID
CAM/144
Asset of Community Value

A Barclay Perkins 'Improved Public House' re-built in 1930 which was possibly designed by renowned architect Basil Oliver (1882-1948). It originally consisted of a saloon bar, public bar, off license and snug - photos of some of these rooms are in frames on the walls of the saloon bar and/or on their website. Despite changes there are a lot of original fittings in the present two main bars but the saloon bar counter and bar back are not in their original position.

The left door leads to a small lobby with a terrazzo floor and beyond is the present saloon bar which is an amalgamation of the original saloon bar (on the left), off license and snug. The left part of the room has fielded panelling on the walls to picture frame height and the original Tudor shaped stone fireplace but it has lost its brick interior and now houses a wood burner. The wooden seating bays are a modern addition as the old photographs show loose seating but they do not detract from the overall feel of the room. On the right at the rear of the room is the original bar counter and bar back (wood is the same style as on the panelling) but it was originally positioned in the wide gap between the two halves of the room - the photo on the wall shows there was a panelled wall on the right of it and two windows i.e. the front ones. The right hand are of the room originally contained the off license and the snug - there are three doors into the present saloon bar.

The public bar is accessed via the door on the right leading to a small lobby with terrazzo floor. It retains the original panelled bar counter (confirmed by old photos) but the bar back fittings look to be a mixture of old and new. The original 1930 brick fireplace also remains. At the rear in an extension is a concert room that was completely renovated in 2011 to make a dedicated live music venue.

A Barclay Perkins 'Improved Public House' re-built in 1930 which was possibly designed by renowned architect Basil Oliver (1882-1948). It originally consisted of a saloon bar, public bar, off license and snug - photos of some of these rooms are in frames on the walls of the saloon bar and/or on their website. Despite changes there are a lot of original fittings in the present two main bars but the saloon bar counter and bar back are not in their original position.

The left door leads to a small lobby with a terrazzo floor and beyond is the present saloon bar which is an amalgamation of the original saloon bar (on the left), off license and snug. The left part of the room has fielded panelling on the walls to picture frame height and the original Tudor shaped stone fireplace but it has lost its brick interior and now houses a wood burner. The wooden seating bays are a modern addition as the old photographs show loose seating but they do not detract from the overall feel of the room. On the right at the rear of the room is the original bar counter and bar back (wood is the same style as on the panelling) but it was originally positioned in the wide gap between the two halves of the room - the photo on the wall shows there was a panelled wall on the right of it and two windows i.e. the front ones. The right hand are of the room originally contained the off license and the snug - there are three doors into the present saloon bar.

The public bar is accessed via the door on the right leading to a small lobby with terrazzo floor. It retains the original panelled bar counter (confirmed by old photos) but the bar back fittings look to be a mixture of old and new. The original 1930 brick fireplace also remains. At the rear in an extension is a concert room that was completely renovated in 2011 to make a dedicated live music venue.

General information about historic pub interiors
Monday
4:30pm - 11:00pm
Tuesday
4:30pm - 11:00pm
Wednesday
4:30pm - 11:00pm
Thursday
Noon - 11:00pm
Friday
Noon - Midnight
Saturday
Noon - Midnight
Sunday
Noon - 11:00pm
Monday
No Service
Tuesday
No Service
Wednesday
5:00pm - 9:00pm
Thursday
5:00pm - 9:00pm
Friday
Noon - 2:30pm & 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Saturday
4:00pm - 9:00pm
Sunday
4:00pm - 9:00pm

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Current beers

This Pub serves 7 changing beers and 1 regular beer.

Regular and recently seen

Greene King - IPA TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
GREENE KING IPA PUMP CLIP FRONT
Greene King - IPA Session Bitter • 3.4%
GREENE KING IPA PUMP CLIP FRONT
Greene King - IPA

This beer is served regularly at Portland Arms, Cambridge.

ABV 3.4%
Dispense Handpump
Style Session Bitter
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

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Champion Beer Of Britain Award

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Nominations are now Open

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Facilities
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals Evening Meals
Live Music Live Music
In 200 person capacity extension.
Garden Garden
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Disabled Access Disabled Access
Level entrance from courtyard. Accessible WC in adjoining offices during office hours.
Events Events
Comedy nights
Function Room Function Room
Games Games
Free pool all day Sunday.
Real Fire Real Fire
Separate Bar Separate Bar
Smoking Smoking
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Features
Cask Ale Cask Ale
Real Cider Real Cider
Not in winter
LocAle LocAle
Cask Marque Cask Marque
Beer Festival Beer Festival
Member Discount Scheme Member Discount Scheme
20p off pint of real ale or cider
Transport
Close to bus routes (100m)
Stagecoach: B, C, P&R; Citi 1, 2, 4 & 8
4 bus stops within 100 m

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