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11-13 April 2025
23 Haltwhistle Road, South Woodham Ferrers, CM3 5ZA
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The Old Arcade is one of the most famous rugby pubs in the world - it is well worth a visit to see a contrast of fittings with early 20th century ones in the front bar and some genuine late-Victorian fittings in the back bar. It is very busy when there is an event at the nearby Principality Stadium, particularly rugby matches. It was built in 1844 as the Birdcage Inn; and later called the Arcade Vaults. Later refurbishments give the pub a modern feel but it is good to see a city centre pub retaining many old fittings. The back bar retains this splendid late Victorian bar back fitting still with five of the six original mirrored panels; also, a mahogany counter and an early 20th century fireplace. While this pub is leased to Marston's, it retains the entire Brains range of cask ales.
Historic Interest
In the front bar the counter looks like inter-war work, as does the wall panelling and there is a 1920s style fireplace. There are several doors into the front bar indicating it was probably sub-divided in the past. The remaining bar back is in a Neo-Jacobean style - note the little upright barrels in the decoration - it has been altered to incorporate a genuine Victorian mirror that was formerly on the wall of the lounge. Note the original 'Brains Beer' etched window.
One star - A pub interior of special national historic interest
Listed status: Not listed
One of the most famous rugby pubs in the world, the Old Arcade is well worth a visit to see a contrast of fittings with early 20th century ones in the front bar and some genuine late-Victorian fittings in the back bar. It was built in 1844 as the Birdcage Inn and later called the Arcade Vaults. In the front bar the counter looks like inter-war work, as does the wall panelling and there is a 1920s style fireplace; several doors into the room indicate it was probably once sub-divided. Changes were made in 1995 to accommodate more rugby fans - the counter was shortened and removed from the front of the room so that service is now only from the side. Part of the old bar-back does survive though; it is in a Neo-Jacobean style and incorporates a genuine Victorian mirror formerly on the lounge wall. Note the original 'Brains Beer' etched window.
The back lounge retains a splendid late Victorian bar back fitting still with five of the six original mirrored panels plus a mahogany counter and an early 20th century fireplace.
The Old Arcade is one of the most famous rugby pubs in the world - it is well worth a visit to see a contrast of fittings with early 20th century ones in the front bar and some genuine late-Victorian fittings in the back bar. It is very busy when there is an event at the nearby Millennium Stadium, particularly rugby matches. It was built in 1844 as the Birdcage Inn; and later called the Arcade Vaults. In the front bar the counter looks like inter-war work, as does the wall panelling and there is a 1920s style fireplace. There are several doors into the front bar indicating it was probably sub-divided in the past. The remaining bar back is in a Neo-Jacobean style - note the little upright barrels in the decoration - it has been altered to incorporate a genuine Victorian mirror that was formerly on the wall of the lounge. Note the original 'Brains Beer' etched window.
Later refurbishments give the pub a modern feel but it is good to see a city centre pub retaining many old fittings. The back bar retains this splendid late Victorian bar back fitting still with five of the six original mirrored panels; also a mahogany counter and an early 20th century fireplace. In order to fit in more rugby fans changes were made to the front bar in 1995. The counter was shortened, it was removed from the front of the room and now you are only served from the side. This change enabled a disabled toilet to be added but part of the old bar back fitting still remains.
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This Pub serves no changing beers and 5 regular beers.
Old Arcade, Cardiff
Sports TV
Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals
Live Music
Disabled Access
Events
Newspapers
Separate Bar
Smoking
Wi Fi
Real Ale
Real Heritage Pub
Member Discount 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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