Pubs of Paulton
Paulton has, until relatively recently, been well known (or perhaps, notorious) for the number of drinking establishments it supports. As early as 1833, in an article extolling the virtues of Field Gardens (allotments essentially), the large number of beerhouses gives rise to a sneer:-
"only one parish in the midst looks on, incredulous or indifferent, to the examples around it. That parish is Paulton - the same Paulton which but a year ago was celebrated for its afflictions - where the destroying pestilence, the Cholera, swept off in two months one twentieth of its inhabitants, and where, when the appalled survivors appealed for food and raiment, the public around made themselves a title in the welfare of the poor, by their benevolent bounty. But its wails and its wants, like a meteor, seem forgotten, and there is no visible testimony of plenty, but its fifteen beer-houses." (Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - 12 December 1833)
Many of these will have come and gone leaving no trace (although the number seems remarkably consistent). The aim of these pages (which are, and will forever remain, very much a work in progress) is to document as much of possible of those for which records survive, as well as the wider history of beer and brewing in the (very) local area.
As I write this (December 2020), all pubs everywhere have an uncertain future. There are currently only 2 remaining pubs in what is a very large village, the Red Lion and the Lamb Inn. This, of course, mirrors the situation everywhere and reflects wider societal changes, some of which are no doubt for the better. Nevertheless, it seems impossible to imagine a village as large as Paulton being without any pubs and, for all the issues that alcohol can cause, there is value in meeting together and building a sense of community - opportunities for which seem to be in decline.
The 15 Pubs of Paulton are as listed below:-
- Blackbird Inn
- Britannia Inn (aka Plummers Hill Beer House, Plummers Arms Inn)
- Dove Inn
- Flying Dutchman
- Lamb Hotel
- Live and Let Live
- New Inn
- Old Lottery
- Red Lion Inn
- Rising Sun
- Rose & Crown
- Royal Oak
- Somerset Inn
- Victoria Inn
- Winterfield Inn
There were undoubtedly others that popped up and disappeared again. For example the Red White & Blue beer-house is mentioned in the 1861 Census, but I don't currently have any more information on it. Likewise, Jane James is said to be a landlady of a beerhouse, but I don't know where.
- Licensees - a list of Innkeepers, beerhouse keepers and others involved in the beer and alcohol trade in Paulton
Other places of interest
Early History
Undoubtedly beer (and other alcoholic beverages) have been drunk in Paulton for as long as people have lived here, but the earliest direct reference to organised drinking that I am aware is from 1626. Edith Pearce, a widow from Paulton, who ran an 'ancient inn' in the middle of the village, complained to the magistrates about a license granted to Richard Bourne of Paulton, which had supposedly taken away her livelihood "meaning she and her children may soon become chargeable to the parish" (Q/SR/58/197). Richard Bourne's new alehouse was apparently "farr remote from the hart of the towne being the outmost house thereof". The petition was heard, but was presumably unsuccessful at removing the license since in 1636 there more complaints against Richard Bourne. Allegedly he "allowed his neighbours servants and children to continue tiplinge in his howse all night" (Q/SR/75/38)
Timeline
The following diagram gives an overall view of when each of the main pubs of Paulton was open, ordered by closing date. I am confident about the dates most of these closed, but the opening dates are much less certain. At the moment this diagram shows the earliest date I have a mention of.
