Galway Arms, Retford

Early 19th century former coaching inn that was owned by the Worksop & Retford Brewery in the past. The pub is included here for its rare snug created by three old high-backed fixed settles one of which has an iron stay attaching it to the ceiling. It is situated on the left hand side of what is an otherwise opened-up interior with a number of areas and island servery. The main settle is substantial with two straight sides and a curved middle section. Another settle is situated on the exterior wall side reaching the fireplace and between the two settles is a window and below it old dado panelling with wall bench seating. The snug has a largish fireplace having a wooden surround and cast iron with glazed brick interior but disused. The mantle shelf almost reaches the ceiling and there are old wall cupboards to the left and right. On the left side of the fireplace is a small high-backed settle beyond which is a narrow entrance before the larger settle. The snug is a remarkable survivor and the only distracting feature is that in recent years all the historic woodwork has been painted a dull green colour.

There are only a handful of similar rooms or snugs formed of two or more high backed settles left in the whole of the UK. They can be found at the following Heritage Pubs – the Holly Bush, Mackeney, Derbyshire; Malt Shovel, Spondon, Derbyshire; Green Dragon, Flaunden, Hertfordshire; Red Lion, Kenninghall, Norfolk; North Star, Steventon, Oxfordshire; Kings Head, Laxfield, Suffolk; Bell & Cross, Holy Cross, Clent, Worcestershire; Old White Beare, Norwood Green, West Yorkshire; Red Lion, Llansannan, North West Wales;; Crown, Snape, Suffolk;; Wheatsheaf, Raby, Merseyside;; and Anchor, High Offley, Staffordshire .