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Riviera Centre, Torquay
11-13 April 2025
One of the most prestigious beer competitions in the world.
Units 3-5, Heathfield Industrial Estate, Heathfield Street, Elland, HX5 9AE
Westgate Brewery, Westgate Street, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1QT
Established in 1835, and re-opened in 1994 as a real ale and jazz pub, it quickly acquired iconic status as a leading edge in the cask beer revolution. When owners Steve Barnes and Will Williams (under whom it had been North London CAMRA Pub of the Year four times) announced their intention to retire, a massive campaign by local people and CAMRA supported by Hackney Council led to the pub being eventually saved. It closed for a refurbishment of the ground floor early in 2013 and re-opened with welcome new loos.
Simple snacks menu of toasties, Pieminster pies, baked Camembert and tuna melts are served, at a price which won't break the bank. Beer menu will of course be subject to regular change, but something from a London brewery should usually be available and a mild!
Two minutes from the Regent's Canal. Five minutes from buses on City Road, 10 to 15 mins from Old St stations. A member of CAMRA's LocAle scheme. Runner-up in the North London CAMRA Pub of the Year competition 2016, Winner in 2017. Also a winner of the Cider Pub of the Year category although the range dropped off in 2021.
Up until Sept 2023 it had occasionally served beer from their own cellar - separately operated BLOCK brewery. However our understanding is that such brewing is no more.
Historic Interest
Local listing:- This small late-Georgian public house was built in 1835. It opened as a public house in 1836. Standing beside the tow path of the Regent's Canal the early history of the pub is associated with the users of the canal and the nearby Wenlock Basin. It initially served as the brewery tap to Messrs Lane and Bowden's nearby Wenlock Brewery, a function it continued until production stopped in 1962. After a period of closure, the pub reopened under its present ownership in 1994, since which time it has acquired a reputation as one of London's leading 'real ale' houses. The Wenlock Arms is a two-storey corner building of stock brick and stucco. On the ground floor are large plate-glass windows set in moulded arched surrounds with floral decoration in the spandrels, framed by pilasters whose capitals are enriched with tiny bunches of grapes. There are three pairs of two-panel doors, those on the corner now sealed shut. The first-floor windows are segment-headed horned sashes in stucco architraves; on the north elevation a large painted stucco plaque reads 'THE WENLOCK ARMS / WINE AND SPIRIT STORES'. The roof is concealed behind a moulded cornice and parapet. To the east is a single-bay extension, similar in style and materials to the main building probably dating from the late 19th century.
One star - A pub interior of special national historic interest
Listed status: Not listed
Established in 1835, it survived attempts to be converted into housing in 2013 and retains fittings from the late Victorian period. The bare wood floor single room has two modest columns with capitals holding up the ceiling – the mosaic floors in the entrance doors have ‘Wenlock Arms’ and ‘Private Bar’ wording indicating a loss of partitions. There is an island-style bar counter with curved edges – note the three cupboards in the front (the pot shelf is modern). It also retains a Victorian island bar back fitting (where fridges have replaced the lower shelving) as well as a back fitting – both with mirrored panels, some narrow and reaches the ceiling. There is a brick fireplace of no great age, fixed seating looks old but re-leatheretted, and a good ‘Wenlock Famous Ales and Stouts’ mirror.
This Pub serves 7 changing beers and 1 regular beer.
Wenlock Arms, London
Source: National
Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals
Live Music
Family Friendly
Disabled Access
Dog Friendly
Games
Smoking
Wi Fi
Real Ale
Real Cider
Real Heritage Pub
LocAle
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.jpg "Exterior. by Rex Ward. Published on")
