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11-13 April 2025
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A pub long regarded as a local institution and a must visit destination, it was for many years a hugely popular freehouse known for its Draught Bass in the days when many pubs in town sold what was then Britain’s most popular and iconic draught beer. When sold in 1996, it was acquired by SA Brain of Cardiff and, as the sale included the neighbouring property, it was opened out to create more drinking and dining space. This was highly controversial and, conscious of the sensitivities involved, the changes were not made without consultation between senior Brains pub managers, the commisioned architect, town planners, and Gwent CAMRA. The aim was to minimise the impact of the change so as to retain as much of the original character and features as possible. Whether this was achieved is a moot point given that discussion carries on today. The extended interior, which was sympathetically refurbished using matching materials where possible, comprises the original small bar and snug, the 'Chicks Parlour' dining room and the additional room that was once the adjoining property. There is also a large upstairs function room. What hasn’t changed is that the pub remains popular and continues to sell prodigious quantities of real ale with the range extended to include both Brains and Marston's products with the latter now managing the pub. The food offering is now clearly a significant part of the business with a good choice of dishes on the menu. And it’s still worth visiting.
Historic Interest
Grade II listed and features in the Real Heritage Pubs of Wales.
One star - A pub interior of special national historic interest
Listed status: II
The Hen & Chickens retains its original three rooms and an old bar-back fitting. Observe how this mirrored bar-back is at right angles to the present counter - prior to 1999 there was a smaller counter directly in front of it. It is not clear if the old counter has been re-used or a new one was created in the style of the original. The bar-back fitting running along the window side is from 1999 - previously there was a settle by the entrance with its back to the window. The marble surround fireplace is old. At the rear is a small snug with shop-style windows which has been reduced in size by a new partition to create a passage to new gents' toilets (gents' was where the ladies' is now and the ladies' was previously upstairs). On the left the former coffee room is now a lounge with few if any old fittings. The pub expanded into a former hairdressers to the right in 1999. Note the numbers over the doors including a '8' on the cellar; also the original brass plates on the exterior.
The Hen & Chickens, 7 Fannel St is worth a visit as it still retains its original three rooms and an old bar back fitting. Notice how the mirrored bar back is at right angles to the present counter - prior to 1999 there was a smaller counter directly in front of it. It is not clear if the old counter has been re-used or is a new one created in the style of the original? The bar back fitting running along the window side is from 1999, previously there was a settle by the entrance with its back to the window. The marble surround fireplace is old. At the rear is a small snug with shop style windows, which has been reduced in size by a new partition to create a passage to new gents toilets (gents was where the ladies is now and the ladies was previously upstairs). On the left the former coffee room is now a lounge with few if any old fittings. The pub expanded into a former hairdressers to the right in 1999. Note the numbers over the doors including a '8' on the cellar; also the original brass plates on the exterior advertising....
This Pub serves 2 changing beers and 2 regular beers.
Hen & Chickens, Abergavenny
Drawn primarily from the Marston's rangee but can produce the occasional surprise.
Changing beers typically include: Marston's (varies)
Source: National
Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals
Live Music
Garden
Family Friendly
Parking
Dog Friendly
Function Room
Games
Newspapers
Real Fire
Separate Bar
Real Ale
Real Heritage Pub
LocAle
CAMRA Voucher Scheme
A Celebration Of Welsh Pub Heritage Real Heritage Pubs of Wales is a guide to a remarkable and varied collection of pubs with the best and most interesting interiors in the whole of Wales. It is CAMRA’s pioneering initiative to...
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