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Hen & Chickens, Abergavenny

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Operator: Marston's
7 Flannel Street, Abergavenny, NP7 5EG (View on Google Map)

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.

Information for this venue is provided by the Gwent Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
Sir Fynwy - Monmouthshire
Last updated
10/01/2022
Last surveyed
Leasehold owner
Brain
Freehold owner
Brain
Pub ID
NEW/44
Asset of Community Value

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.

General information about historic pub interiors

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....

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

Current beers

This Pub serves 2 changing beers and 2 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen
Brains - Bitter
Brains - Bitter Session Bitter • 3.7%
Brains - Bitter
Brains - Bitter

Session Bitter

Dispense: Handpump
ABV: 3.7%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
This beer is served regularly.
Pumpclip -1
Brains - SA Session Bitter • 4.2%
Pumpclip -1
Brains - SA

Session Bitter

Dispense: Handpump
ABV: 4.2%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
This beer is served regularly.
Changing

Drawn primarily from the Marston's rangee but can produce the occasional surprise.

Changing beers typically include: Marston's (varies)

Source: National


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Facilities
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals Evening Meals
Live Music Live Music
Jazz at 1pm Sunday, other live music alternate Firudays
Garden Garden
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Parking Parking
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
Function Room Function Room
Games Games
Newspapers Newspapers
Real Fire Real Fire
Separate Bar Separate Bar
Features
Real Ale Real Ale
Real Heritage Pub Real Heritage Pub
LocAle LocAle
CAMRA Voucher Scheme CAMRA Voucher Scheme
Transport
Close to bus routes (300m)
2, 3, 20/A, 43, 45/A, 83, 321, 442, B4, X4, X10, X12, X20, X33, X43
Nearby Station (921m)
Abergavenny

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