A former coaching inn dating from 1770 at the western entrance to the town. The Blue Bell is in a red sandstone building and is a busy, friendly pub offering up to four real ales. The pub is home to many community activities along with annual beer (late August Bank Holiday) and cider festivals.
There are traditional features in the Blue Bell, notably the inter-war panelling on the walls and the bar counter. These are retained from its time as a State Management Scheme pub from 1917 to 1972 . The courtyard to the rear of the pub features the original stables and also provides a pleasant seated area.
The Blue Bell has an on-site brewery called Mote & Bailey. The beer range varies and may include seasonal specials as well as one off brews. Mote & Bailey beers are only in the Blue Bell and are not supplied elsewhere but are not always available. Real or bottled cider may be available.
CAMRA Dumfriesshire Area Pub of the Year 2024, 2023
Bus services connect Annan with Dumfries, Lockerbie, Gretna and Carlisle.
Historic Interest
Former Gretna State Management Scheme pub. Mid 19th century incorporating earlier parts with some that date from 1770. Category B Listed. Historic Environment Scotland reference LB21096
One star - A pub interior of special national historic interest
Listed status: C
In 1917 all the pubs in Annan became part of the Gretna State Management Scheme, one of a handful of such schemes in the UK, and they continued to be owned by the government until 1972. The idea was to control the consumption of alcohol by workers in the munitions factories at Gretna and, under the scheme, the Blue Bell was refitted and is not much changed since. This former coaching inn, where Hans Christian Anderson is said to have stayed, dates back to 1770, but the red sandstone building is now mainly mid 19th-century, although it still retains its stables at the rear. The main change in the last 50 years has been the removal of a sliding screen on the left of the entrance which gives the pub an open-plan feel. All the walls are covered in inter-war panelling, as is the bar counter, but the counter top and back gantry have been replaced in the past 30-odd years. There was a tiny snug on the right-hand side until the 1970s. A short flight of steps to the left of the bar leads to the adjacent pool room. This was formerly part of the living accommodation and there is nothing of historic interest. The gents' is intact with its panelled ante-room, tiled inner room and original Shanks urinals.
This Pub serves 4 changing beers and 0 regular beers.
Bluebell Inn, Annan
Introduction This guide describes the 116 pubs identified by CAMRA as having interiors of national or regional historic or architectural importance, plus a further 24 whose interiors are of some regional interest. Scotland has over 4000 pubs so why do...