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Nova Scotia, Bristol

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1 Nova Scotia Place, Hotwells, Bristol, BS1 6XJ (View on Google Map)
  • Historic Interior

Waterside pub situated, since 1811, where the Bristol Docks meet the Avon Gorge. The single bar serves a small lounge area, a more basic strip by the bar, and the 'Captain's Room' behind a Victorian screen. Upstairs is a function room. There are a number of tables situated outside on the waterfront that catch the afternoon sun. It can get very busy on match days at Ashton Gate, which is a short walk away.. The pub features in the CAMRA Heritage Pubs of the South-West book.. Currently food is limited to filled rolls, pork pies and scotch eggs until Spring 2025 whilst the kitchen is being refurbished. Live Irish session every Thursday.

Historic Interest

The pub features in the CAMRA Heritage Pubs of the South-West book.

Information for this venue is provided by the Bristol & District Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
City of Bristol (B)
Last updated
02/07/2025
Last surveyed
12/02/2025
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
Heineken UK
Pub ID
AVN/219
Asset of Community Value

Two star - A pub interior of very special national historic interest

Listed status: II

A late-19th-century pub converted from a row of three terraced houses, notable for the Victorian screen forming a memorable snug..

The pub retains its mahogany bar-back fitting with a door to an office in the middle – imaginative legend says it was made for a ship but didn’t fit so was installed here instead. However, the remarkable survivor is the Victorian low screen, attached to the ceiling with an iron stay, situated to the right of the public bar. This creates the small snug known as the Captain’s Cabin with etched glass stating that in previous times it was a ‘Private Bar’. Old bench seating is attached to panelled walls throughout the pub. The area on the left was once a separate room.

General information about historic pub interiors

Early 19th century row of three terraced house converted into a pub in the late 19th century.

It still retains its splendid original mahogany bar back in two sections - a large one on the left, small one on the right with a door to an office between them. Note the slender rounded edge mirrored panels running across the top and down the edges. The back fitting has a maker's label hidden behind the clock, 'Parnall's', a firm that fitted out boats. Legend has it that the bar back was made for a ship (liner?) but it didn't fit and was installed here instead!

Also retains its original bar counter with decorative brackets, all from the late Victorian times. The remarkable survivor here is the Victorian low screen which is attached to the ceiling with an iron stay situated to the right of the public bar. It creates the small snug known as the Captain's Cabin with its 'Private Bar' etched and frosted panels, which also appears in the twin entrance doors. One of the 4 panels is a transfer - can you work out which one?

Possibly before the 1920s there was no counter in the private bar as the small curved one is different in style to the main bar counter. There is bench seating attached to a dado of tongue and groove panelling throughout the pub - some, notably in the public bar and on the back wall, may date from the 1920s rather than Victorian times. On the far left is a small area that would have been a separate room in the past. Note the wooden shutters on the exterior windows.

General information about historic pub interiors
Monday
Noon - 11:00pm
Tuesday
Noon - 11:00pm
Wednesday
Noon - 11:00pm
Thursday
Noon - 11:00pm
Friday
Noon - 11:00pm
Saturday
Noon - 11:00pm
Sunday
Noon - 10:30pm

TasteMatch

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Current beers

This Pub serves 1 changing beer and 3 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen

Fuller's - London Pride TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Fuller's London Pride Pumpclip
Fuller's - London Pride Session Bitter • 4.1% Spotted 11 times
Fuller's London Pride Pumpclip
Fuller's - London Pride

This beer is served regularly and Spotted 11 times at Nova Scotia, Bristol.

ABV 4.1%
Dispense Handpump
Style Session Bitter
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Draught Bass - Draught Bass TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Draught Bass - Draught Bass
Draught Bass - Draught Bass Premium Bitter • 4.4% Spotted 12 times
Draught Bass - Draught Bass
Draught Bass - Draught Bass

This beer is served regularly and Spotted 12 times at Nova Scotia, Bristol.

ABV 4.4%
Dispense Handpump
Style Premium Bitter
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Butcombe - Butcombe Original TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Butcombe Original
Butcombe - Butcombe Original Session Bitter • 4% Spotted 9 times
Butcombe Original
Gold Award
Butcombe - Butcombe Original

This beer is served regularly and Spotted 9 times recently. Last spotted 1 week ago at Nova Scotia, Bristol.

ABV 4%
Dispense Handpump
Style Session Bitter
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No
Changing

Changing beers typically include: Wye Valley - Butty Bach

Source: Local


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Facilities
Live Music Live Music
Thursday - live Irish session
Garden Garden
trestle tables on the wharf.
Family Friendly Family Friendly
daytime only
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
Function Room Function Room
Separate Bar Separate Bar
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Features
Cask Ale Cask Ale
Real Cider Real Cider
Real Heritage Pub Real Heritage Pub
Cask Marque Cask Marque
Cask Marque Beer and Cellar Hygiene rating
Cask Marque: Beer and Cellar Hygiene rating 5 out of 5
Transport
Close to bus routes (200m)
Closest station (1800m)
Parson Street

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