Historic Bristol pub wins heritage award
The Kings Head near Temple Meads is thought to boast some of the oldest bar fittings in the country
The managers of a West Country pub, which dates back nearly 400 years, are being recognised for maintaining its history.
The Kings Head near Temple Meads in Bristol has been named runner up in the Campaign for Real Ale's first ever Heritage Award, which celebrates work done to revitalise the country's oldest boozers.
The Kings Head, on Victoria Street in Redcliffe is Grade II listed and is thought to have some of the oldest bar fittings in the UK.
Kelly Sidgwick and Bob Cary, co-owners of Good Chemistry Brewing and the Kings Head said: “The beautiful and historic Kings Head is the only Three Star rated Bristol pub on CAMRA’s Historic Pub Interiors list.
"We were incredibly proud to become its latest custodians at the end of 2022, undertaking a big renovation to restore the pub and allow its beauty to take centre stage, while honouring the listed building status of the venue.
"Alongside the restoration of the interior, we’ve also focused on establishing the reputation of the Kings Head as somewhere to find beers from the best independent breweries from around the country.
"We’re really pleased to have our work recognised with this award.”
The Kings Head was beaten to the top prize only by the Drewe Arms in Drewsteignton in Devon, which reopened last year after closing in 2022, thanks to efforts from the Drewsteignton Community Society.
A fundraising campaign set up by the society was so successful it raised more than £550,000 in six weeks, which is the most ever raised for a community pub on the Crowdfunder platform.
One of Devon's oldest pubs, also dating from the 17th Century, it is one of the few left in the UK that does not have a conventional bar. Instead local beers are served straight from the cask, from stillage to hatch.
Pub Saving Award Coordinator Paul Ainsworth said: “When a pub closes, it is incredibly hard to open the doors again, with many losing the battle to conversion or demolition.
"That is why these awards are so important, the hard work and dedication shown by these campaigns to save local pubs deserve recognition. They are all inspirational stories, that will hopefully encourage more pub saving campaigns, so future generations can enjoy the wonderful sense of community that only a pub can provide. "