CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE

WEST WALES - Court Henry, New Cross Inn

National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors Part Two

, Court Henry, SA32 8SD

(1 mile north of A40 at Court Henry)

Tel: 01558 668276

Opening Hours: Sat evening from about 7pm; and Sun from 12 to 3.

Pub Food: Meals Sat night and Sun lunch

Listed Status: Not listed

View this pub on a local map

This pub is a truly remarkable survival - still part of a 200-acre livestock farm, it celebrated its 100th birthday in 2009 and the public bar has survived virtually without change. Another remarkable fact is that we know to the day when it opened – 18 March 1909 - as invitations to the opening dinner are preserved in a frame on the mantleshelf. The 100th birthday celebrations lasted three days and the pub was featured on TV. In the past it was quite common for pub-keeping to be combined with some other livelihood but it is rare these days. The small public bar with its red and black quarry-tile floor retains a matchboarded counter, simple shelving behind and a wooden fire-surround, complete with shelving and small turned balusters and a 'Truman, Hanbury & Buxton & Co Burton Ales' mirror above. The only modern item is some leatherette fixed seating from the late 1960s. Note the old opener on the counter that was used for taking corks out of beer bottles.

When built the pub consisted of the public bar and also a smoking room - note a door on the left of the porch - but this other small room became part of the living quarters in the 1960s. At this time the old stables to the right were converted into a large restaurant/new lounge that can hold 100 diners. Accessed through a pair of doors on the right of the bar with a small hatch to the side of the bar for service and ply panelled walls it impacts little on the old bar. It is used for meals on a Saturday evening and also one sitting at 12.30pm for an amazingly good value three-course Sunday roast lunch for which a booking is essential. Opening hours are limited to Sat. evening from 7pm, and Sun. lunchtimes from 12 to 3pm.