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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
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This smart oak panelled pub, run very much on traditional lines, offers a friendly welcome to both regulars and visitors to the area alike.
The interior, very ‘Tudorbethan’, is wood panelled throughout, fully carpeted and furnished with a mixture of tables, chairs, stools and banquettes, one built to fit the curved wall. There is plenty of standing room as well and vertical drinking is assisted by unusual peninsular shelf projections and tall bar stools. Three large TV screens are not overly intrusive even for football. For sun-lovers and smokers, benches with umbrellas are available on the pavements outside.
Fairly standard 'traditional' pub meals are available. There is no function room, but it may be possible to reserve the far end of the room for larger groups.
Being close to the BBC’s Broadcasting House, in former times this pub was frequented not only by the poet Dylan Thomas, but also by the actress Ellis Powell, who played the title role in the radio series Mrs Dale's Diary until she was sacked in favour of Jessie Matthews. Other luminaries of the BBC radio heyday of the 1950s and early 60s who favoured the pub were features' staff and writers including Olivia Manning, Henry Reed and Julian Maclaren-Ross.
Historic Interest
First licensed in 1776, it occupies the ground floor of a Deco office block built in 1939/40 to designs by the architects Marshall & Tweedy for Cranleigh Estates. The ground floor pub interior was designed for Edinburgh brewers William Younger & Co., and is typical of their usual London architects of the period, John S. Quilter & Son. The marvellous art deco exterior is largely still complete with metal-framed windows, a curved corner profile, ship’s railings above the top storey, and, on said corner, the pub sign surmounted by a small but striking metal sculpture of the eponymous trophy.
Two star - A pub interior of very special national historic interest
Listed status: Not listed
In complete contrast to late Victorian ornateness, this corner-site pub is a rare example of late 1930s sleek streamlining. The builders were the Scottish brewer William Younger who had previously gone for a nostalgic, half-timbered style for their pubs dotted over central London. No more fancy foliage or gritty materials, just a smooth brick building with a rounded corner and metal windows. Note the metal door (left) and curving glass to the right-hand entrance. The interior is a single space with a servery with panelled bar counter along the rear wall. In contrast to the exterior, there is little sense of modernity here because the extensive wall panelling does hark back to the ever-popular Tudor revival. Youngers seem to have been setting out their stall to cater for stand-up drinking by workers from the surrounding offices – hence the peninsula-style projections to prop up customers and their drinks. All in all, this pub is a rather special survivor.
Stag's Head, London
Sports TV
Lunchtime Meals
Garden
Family Friendly
Smoking
Real Ale
Real Heritage Pub
LocAle
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