CAMRA’s Pub Heritage Group shares news and updates about pubs with historically significant interiors across the UK. For further news about the National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors, see the Pub Heritage Group webpage.

Three Star heritage pubs

Peveril of the Peak, Manchester, Greater Manchester

Nancy Swanick (above), landlady of the Grade-II listed Peveril of the Peak (main image), has died aged 96. Nancy had been at the helm since 1971, although she had stepped back in recent years with family members continuing to run the pub.

Dan Leonard of Trafford and Hulme CAMRA said: “For more than half a century, the true heart of the Pev wasn’t the building. It was Nancy Swanick. For more than 55 years, Nancy dedicated her life to the Peveril of the Peak.” Read Dan’s full tribute to Nancy here.

The Peveril of the Peak is one of the most iconic pubs in the UK and was named as the best pub in Britain by Time Out. It was remodelled around 1900 and is famed for its striking late-Victorian, green-tiled exterior. The outstanding interior consists of three rooms filled with top-quality woodwork, tiling, glass and fixed seating of the period. Astonishingly, the pub was earmarked for demolition in the 1980s as part of a proposed road-widening scheme and was saved after a local campaign by CAMRA and other volunteers.

Blue Ship, The Haven, West Sussex (above)

The Blue Ship has reopened following a temporary seasonal closure as reported in the February bulletin. It is recommended to contact the pub directly if you plan on visiting, as the opening hours are subject to change. The Blue Ship is a true rarity with the highlight being the characterful low-beamed bar room with drinks served via a stable door hatch with no bar counter.

Two Star heritage pubs

Gatehouse, Norwich, Norfolk (above)

A planning application has been lodged to convert the Gatehouse into a mosque and community centre. The Norwich Muslim Centre bought the Gatehouse last year after a community group, which was intending to reopen the pub, failed to raise the necessary funds. Objections have been lodged by Norwich and District CAMRA and by the Pub Heritage Group.

The Pub Heritage Group last reported on the Gatehouse in the May bulletin when unauthorised works to the interior of this Grade-II listed pub were halted by Norwich City Council. Closed since 2023, the Gatehouse was built in 1934 by Norwich brewer Morgans. It was one of 21 interwar pubs listed in 2015 by Historic England, recognising the historic value of pubs of this period. Read more about the potential conversion on Norwich Evening News.

Tankard, Rufforth, North Yorkshire (above)

Closed for three years, the Tankard finally reopened in late July. The interior dates to 1937, following a refurbishment by architect H Lane Fox for Samuel Smith’s brewery, consisting of two small rooms with the public bar retaining a curved servery, high-quality parquet flooring and fixed seating from the period. Read more about the pub’s reopening on York Press.

Wellington, York, North Yorkshire (above)

Suddenly closed by owner Samuel Smith’s in November 2024 (as reported in the January 2025 bulletin), the Wellington finally reopened 11 August. The Welly dates to the 1850s and is the oldest purpose-built pub in York to remain so unaltered. It was one of the first statutory listings following a pilot study by CAMRA and English Heritage in 1994.

Crooked Billet, Stoke Row, Oxfordshire (above)

The Crooked Billet shut for repairs following a kitchen fire which damaged the roof and upper floor. Thankfully, it appears that the ground floor rooms have not been badly affected, and it is due to reopen by the end of August. Although functioning primarily as a restaurant, the Crooked Billet is one of only eight historic pubs left in the UK with no bar counter.

Stamford and Warrington, Coalville, Leicestershire (above)

Plans to convert the Stamford and Warrington to retail use have been approved by North West Leicestershire District Council. The unlisted pub shut in 2023 and was put on the market by Admiral Taverns. It was an excellent example of how pubs were refitted during the 1950s and early 1960s before the interior was ripped out, as described in the April 2025 bulletin.

One Star heritage pubs

Boot and Flogger, Southwark, Greater London South East 

The Boot and Flogger, which functions as a wine bar, has been included on the National Inventory at One Star status for its unchanged timber interior which dates to the early 1970s. The historic interior includes a manager’s office, long panelled main room which is divided by three partial partitions, snug rooms, display cabinets and a custom-made bar counter and bar back.

Ancrum Cross Keys, Ancrum, Scottish Borders (above)

The Ancrum Cross Keys has closed and is for sale with an asking price of £235,000. It was built around 1850 and retains the layout and fittings from a 1906 refurbishment. The best-preserved room is the small public bar with original back gantry and bar counter. Read more about the pub’s sale on Rightmove.

Earle Arms, Hayden, Norfolk (above)

The Earle Arms has reopened following a refurbishment by the new tenants. The pub, which was originally a coaching inn dating back to the 17th century, is owned by the Heydon Estate along with the rest of the picturesque Hayden village. Read more about the pub’s reopening on North Norfolk News.

Olde Cider Bar, Newton Abbot, Devon (above)

One of the few remaining cider houses left in the UK, the Olde Cider Bar is closed for a major refurbishment that includes installing a new kitchen. The Pub Heritage Group would welcome any further updates.

If you have any news on heritage pubs, send to: info@pubheritage.camra.org.uk 

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Photos by Trafford and Hulme CAMRA, Michael Slaughter, Geoff Brandwood and Michael Schouten