Wellington, York

The ‘Welly’ is a classic terraced back-street local (and a joy to stroll to from the city centre along the riverside New Walk). Dating from the 1850s, it is York's oldest purpose-built pub to survive so unaltered. Its layout, in the 'house' tradition, is centred on a through corridor which is stone-flagged and dog-legs past an open staircase. To the left is the public bar (with the servery) plus a private back room; to the right are two small lounges, both served from the corridor hatch with a ledge and half doors.

On the left is a small Public Bar with doorway, black & red diamond tiled floor laid diagonally, bar counter is a modern copy of the original, bar back panels and shelving look modern but the frame is old, stone fireplace with coal fire, re-leatherette old fixed bench seating.

Small room on the front right has doorway, re-leatheretted excellent original fixed bench seating all around, some bell pushes, a stone & new tiled and cast iron fireplace (age?) with a bevelled mirror above and coal fire.

Tiny room at rear right has door, re-upholstered fixed bench seating, bell pushes in the tongue and groove board panelling, Victorian tiled, cast iron & wood surround fireplace imported in recent years and bevelled mirror above, baffle either side of the door.

Refurbishments in 1986, 1994 and 2000 by Sam Smiths were admirably low-key - outside gents and ladies toilets. Statutorily listed in 1994 following CAMRA’s York pilot study for English Heritage.