29 Market Street, Tamworth, B79 7LR
Albion Road, Marden, TN12 9DT
Riviera Centre, Torquay
11-13 April 2025
23 Haltwhistle Road, South Woodham Ferrers, CM3 5ZA
Unit 11, Valley Point Industrial Estate, Beddington Farm Road, Beddington, CR0 4WP
Argyle Place, Love Road, Lowestoft, NR32 2NZ
116, Foregate Street, Chester, Chester, CH1 2HH
A Samuel Smith pub, with three rooms downstairs and an upstairs eating area. An attractive Victorian interior and exterior including etched glass, mirrors and wood panels. A vaguely equine theme links the old prints. Some tables and chairs on the pavement provide alternative 'fresh air' seating.
Patrons should note that there is a strict "no swearing" policy in Samuel Smith's establishments. Also by decision of the brewery owner, customers may not use mobile phones (except for payments), laptops or similar inside the pub; tablets and iPads are prohibited inside or outside. The brewery's policy is that its pubs are for social conversation face to face.
Historic Interest
Said to date to 1792 when the Sun Fire Office records note a Mr Davidson, victualler, in occupation. It's another of the pubs in the area surrounding the BBC that was frequented by writers and essayists waiting for producers and editors, or to rehearse or broadcast. The pub is also said to have been known as The Whore's Lament, after the despair of certain locals at the departure of American servicemen at the end of World War II. More on the pubs used by BBC staff and others can be found in London Calling: A Countercultural History of London since 1945 by Barry Miles.
Restoration
A pub has stood on the site since the mid 18C and the existing building with its impressive tiled frontage was remodelled around 1895. Downstairs the old layout of three rooms is pleasingly retained, as is the skylight in what would have been the billiards room. All areas have been well restored , most notably by current owners Sam Smith, using high-quality fittings, such as a lot of wood, etched glass, mirrors and good flooring, to deliver a Victorian-style pub. In a nod to its name, old prints on the walls have an equine theme. Meals are served in an upstairs room. There is no real ale and the pub is closed on Sundays.
Horse & Groom, London
Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals
OCR Pub
Quiet
Love Cask Beer?
Join CAMRA to support the campaign to access more features plus access to a range of different benefits.
Become a member
