Hanbury Arms, Pontypool (Pop's)

This is an other drinking establishment and you may be charged for entrance at certain times.

A ghost museum.

It's been a long time since the now redundant handpulls served up frothing pints of real ale. Once known as 'Pop's' back in the day, the Hanbury has had an open and shut existence in recent years. It has two rooms with a large function room at the rear. It had a spell as the 'Home of Pontypool RFC' which is appropriate as it has been a pre and post match venue for decades given its proximity to Pontypool Park. After another period of closure it re-opened again in early 2022 and now provides accommodation for those brave enough to face the challenge of a possible ghostly encounter! Stories of ghostly goings-on re-emerged in the South Wales Argus in September 2012 when staff and contractors working in the building claimed to be spooked by strange unexplained events. The pub dates back to the 1830s and is thought to have been a court house and a morgue before becoming a pub. It is said it once saw trials of local criminals, some of whom were hanged in the premises. It is thought to be home to a little girl called Emily and a young boy in Victorian dress so, needless to say, stories of various ghosts from those times have circulated occasionally.

The new owners have made the most of the ghost stories by creating a ghost museum using various artefacts and dolls from the building but the premises is no longer licensed.