Queen Inn, Cwmbran

Attractive hillside pub with a striking sign of a youthful but mournful looking Queen Victoria. Set beside a rushing mountain stream, wildfowl, a rabbit hutch, swings, a slide and even a tree-house keep the kids amused. The pub was once tied to the old Rhymney Brewery that was taken over and closed by Whitbread in the 1960s. Prior to that the building was two or three cottages. Years ago this was an industrial community with quarries and mines further up the mountain and the Queen was one of four local pubs slaking the thirst of the local working population. Note the name is singular although it is known as the 'Queens'. The interior is cosy with a bar (note the shepherd's crook on display), lounge/diner (a later addition in the '60s) and separate dining room. The Covid pandemic triggered an extensive enlargement of the outside area to provide al fresco dining and drinking. An entirely vegan menu, introduced in 2022, proved so popular that it has become a permanent fixture and includes ales where possible. The menu is now meat free. The licensees and customers work hard to raise funds for charity, especially a local hospice. A talking point during the festive season is the upside down Christmas tree by the lounge entrance. Note a plaque mounted on the outside wall commemorating "Thomas JH Richards (1919-1985) Olympic Silver Medallist who trained and lived in Upper Cwmbran".