Pubs, Inns and Beer Houses of North Petherton

The pubs and inns of North Petherton are an important part of the town’s social history. In earlier centuries, pubs were not simply places to drink. They provided accommodation, food, stabling, meeting spaces, news, transport links and places for trade. Some were large named inns, while others were smaller beer houses serving particular hamlets or groups of workers.

The historical directories show that North Petherton and its surrounding settlements had a wide range of licensed premises. Some were in the centre of the village, especially along Fore Street and the main road, while others were in outlying areas such as Huntworth, Moorland, Fordgate and Whitestocks.

George Inn / George Hotel

The George was one of North Petherton’s long-established inns. It appears in several 19th-century directories and seems to have been one of the principal named establishments in the village.

In Pigot’s Directory of 1842, the George was kept by John Ridge. Slater’s Directory of 1852–53 also lists John Ridge at the George, suggesting continuity over at least a decade. By 1889, the premises were listed as the George Inn, with Douglas Taylor as innkeeper. In Kelly’s Directory of 1897, it appears as the George Hotel, run by George Courtenay.

The change from “Inn” to “Hotel” is significant. It suggests that the George may have developed from a traditional coaching or village inn into a more formal establishment for travellers and visitors. Its history shows how North Petherton’s hospitality trade adapted during the 19th century.

Swan / Swan Inn

The Swan was another important historic inn in North Petherton. It appears in Pigot’s Directory of 1842, where Charles Luckes is listed as the publican. In Slater’s Directory of 1852–53, Thomas Godfrey is recorded at the Swan. Later, in the 1889 directory, the Swan Inn was run by James Coram.

The Swan appears to have had a practical role beyond serving drink. James Coram was also listed as a daily carrier to Bridgwater. This means the inn was connected with movement, trade and communication between North Petherton and Bridgwater. Inns often acted as informal transport hubs, where goods, messages and people could be collected or set down.

New Inn

The New Inn was another named public house recorded in 19th-century North Petherton. In 1842 it was run by William Temblett, and in 1852–53 it was associated with James Tucker. By 1889, Robert Rogers was listed at the New Inn.

The name “New Inn” suggests that it may originally have been established later than older inns such as the George or Swan, although by the 19th century it was clearly already part of the village’s recognised licensed trade.

Ring of Bells

The Ring of Bells appears in Pigot’s Directory of 1842, with William Davey listed as the publican. The name is a traditional pub name often associated with church bells, which is interesting given the importance of St Mary’s Church and its tower bells in North Petherton.

The Ring of Bells does not appear as clearly in the later directory material available, so it may have closed, changed name or been replaced by another licensed premises.

Lamb Inn

The Lamb Inn is one of the historic pub names associated with North Petherton and is recorded in the late 19th century. Kelly’s directories from 1889 and 1897 list Tom Phillips as the innkeeper or public house keeper.

The Lamb Inn is especially important because it is one of the names that has continued into the modern period. It is associated with Fore Street, placing it in the centre of the village. Historically, a pub in this location would have served both residents and people travelling through North Petherton on the main road.

Modern descriptions of the Lamb Inn identify it as a village-centre pub serving the local community. It has been associated with traditional pub activities such as darts, pool and skittles, as well as food, drink and social gatherings.

Malt & Hops

The Malt & Hops appears in late 19th-century records. Kelly’s directories of 1889 and 1897 list Samuel Fursland at the Malt & Hops public house.

The name is strongly connected with brewing. Malt and hops are two of the key ingredients used in beer production, and the name reflects the close relationship between pubs, brewing and local agricultural production. In a rural parish like North Petherton, pubs were closely linked with farming communities, labourers and local trade.

Clarence Hotel

The Clarence Hotel is listed in Kelly’s Directory of 1897, with William Clark as hotel keeper or proprietor. Its description as a hotel suggests that it may have offered accommodation and a higher level of service than a simple beer house.

The presence of more than one hotel-style establishment in North Petherton by the late 19th century shows that the village had a role as a stopping place for travellers, tradespeople and visitors.

Compass

The Compass is connected with the licensed trade in both historical and modern records. In Kelly’s Directory of 1889, Charles West is listed as a beer retailer at Compass. By 1897, Frederick Davey is recorded as beer retailer there.

The Compass survives as a modern pub on Bridgwater Road. Its location near the A38 and the M5 makes it well placed for both local customers and passing trade. Historically, its position would also have made it useful for people travelling between Bridgwater, North Petherton and nearby settlements.

Whitestocks Beer House

The directories show that Whitestocks had its own beer-retailing establishment. In 1889, Thomas Warner was listed as beer retailer there, while in 1897 Charles Warner held the role.

This appears to have been a smaller beer house rather than a major named inn. Beer houses were common in the 19th century and often served agricultural workers, local residents and hamlet communities. The presence of a beer retailer at Whitestocks shows that licensed premises were spread across the wider parish, not just concentrated in the main village.

Huntworth Beer Retailer

Huntworth also had a beer retailer. Kelly’s Directory of 1889 lists Mary Ann Mead, while the 1897 directory records Mary Ann Baker.

The fact that women are recorded as beer retailers is notable. Women often played important roles in running inns, shops, lodging houses and beer houses, especially as widows or family business operators.

Moorland Beer Retailer

At Moorland, Kelly’s directories of 1889 and 1897 list James Slocombe as a beer retailer.

Moorland, also associated with North Moor Green, was a distinct settlement within the wider North Petherton parish. It had its own school, religious buildings and local services. The beer retailer formed part of this local network of community facilities.

Fordgate Beer Retailer

At Fordgate, Henry Venn is listed as beer retailer in 1889, and Henry James Venn appears in the same role in 1897.

Fordgate’s beer retailer is another example of how the parish’s social life was spread across smaller settlements. These beer houses would have served people who might not regularly travel into the main village.

Walnut Tree Hotel

The Walnut Tree Hotel is a modern hotel and pub associated with Fore Street. It stands close to the centre of North Petherton and near the church. It has been described as having 18th-century origins and continues the tradition of hospitality in the village.

Its location opposite or near St Mary’s Church places it within the historic core of North Petherton, where church, inns, shops and other services were concentrated.

White Willow

The White Willow is a modern pub-restaurant at Market Way. It represents a newer type of licensed premises, more focused on family dining and roadside hospitality than the older village inns.

Opened in the 21st century, it shows how North Petherton’s pub trade has continued to adapt as the village has grown and as traffic patterns have changed.

Globe Inn

The Globe Inn is another pub associated with North Petherton. It is described in modern listings as a community pub, family friendly and dog friendly, with outdoor space.

Like many village pubs, the Globe’s importance lies not only in drink or food but also in its role as a social meeting place.

Harvest Moon

The Harvest Moon is sometimes linked with the North Petherton area, although it is more specifically associated with North Newton. Because North Newton formed part of the wider historic parish landscape, it is relevant when considering the broader North Petherton area.

Its name reflects a rural and agricultural setting, fitting the farming character of the surrounding countryside.