Wenlock Arms

The Wenlock Arms is a historic public house in Hoxton, East London, situated between Old Street and Angel near the City Road, City Road Basin and Wenlock Basin sections of the Regent's Canal. It began trading in 1787 and was originally associated with the nearby Wenlock Brewery, functioning as a brewery tap: a pub operated to showcase and sell the brewery's own beer. Its long relationship with brewing is central to the establishment's identity, although the pub is now best known as an independent traditional London pub rather than as a surviving brewery outlet. The current building dates from 1835 and retains a traditional pub interior. It survived the wartime bombing that affected much of the surrounding area, helping make it a notable survivor within a rapidly changing part of inner London. The pub's location beside the canal and close to the City Road has contributed to its distinctive character, combining a compact historic setting with accessibility from several central and north London neighbourhoods. The Wenlock Arms is particularly associated with cask ale. It has been recognised by the local Campaign for Real Ale branch as North London Pub of the Year on four occasions since its reopening in 1994. CAMRA places the establishment in its north London competition category according to postal districts, even though the pub is geographically in East London. Its beer offer has included a broad selection of cask ales, and the pub's reputation rests on beer quality, range, traditional service and an unmodernised atmosphere rather than on a large-scale food or entertainment proposition. The pub's history is also connected with the Wenlock Brewery and the Lane family. John Lane operated the brewery from 1840 until his death in 1873, initially under the name Lane & Bowden. Members of the Lane and Mitchell families were involved in the brewery across the nineteenth century. After Lane's death, ownership passed to his youngest son Robert George, then later to Richard Alfred Glover and, in 1887, to Glover Bell & Co. In 1925, the Wenlock Brewery acquired licensed houses belonging to the liquidated New London Brewery of Lambeth. A historical connection with the brewery was revived in the late twentieth century when Wenlock Fireside Ale was recreated by the Museum Brewery in Burton. The beer was produced from November 1999 and was available during 2000, providing a temporary link between the pub's contemporary identity and its brewing heritage. The Wenlock Arms became the focus of a substantial preservation campaign after reports in 2010 that the building might be demolished. A demolition and redevelopment application was registered with Hackney Council in September 2011, followed by a further application in 2012. Local residents and CAMRA organised opposition, and the pub ultimately benefited from the extension of the Regent's Canal Conservation Area, approved by Hackney Council's Cabinet in December 2011. After a period of closure and renovation, the pub reopened on 3 June 2013. The works included extending the upper floors for residential accommodation while retaining the pub's historic role. Beyond its local business role, the Wenlock Arms has appeared in popular culture. It was used as a filming location for The World's End, Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg's 2013 film, and appears in the opening titles of Al Murray's television programme Al Murray's Compete for the Meat. It has also been associated with stories about David Beckham visiting with his grandfather. Today, the Wenlock Arms remains an operating Hoxton pub whose value is derived from heritage, place, cask ale, conservation and cultural recognition.

The Wenlock Arms began trading in 1787 in Hoxton, East London. It was established in connection with the nearby Wenlock Brewery and initially operated as a brewery tap, serving as an outlet for the brewery's beers. The pub stands near the City Road and the Wenlock and City Road basins on the Regent's Canal, between Old Street and Angel. The present pub building was constructed in 1835. It survived the bombing of the area during the Second World War and retained a traditional interior, making it an important surviving example of an older London public house in a neighbourhood subsequently shaped by redevelopment. The establishment's nineteenth-century history is closely tied to the Wenlock Brewery. John Lane ran the brewery from 1840 until his death in 1873, initially with the business name Lane & Bowden. His relatives and members of the Mitchell family held a number of brewing and management roles. After Lane's death, ownership passed to his son Robert George, then later to Richard Alfred Glover and Glover Bell & Co, which took over the brewery in 1887. The Wenlock Brewery expanded its licensed-house interests in the twentieth century. When the New London Brewery of Lambeth entered voluntary liquidation in January 1925, its licensed houses were acquired by the Wenlock Brewery. Although the original brewery connection no longer defines the pub's ownership, it remains part of the Wenlock Arms's historical identity. A related product, Wenlock Fireside Ale, was recreated by the Museum Brewery in Burton from November 1999 and was sold during 2000. In its modern era, the Wenlock Arms became known for cask ale and traditional pub culture. Since reopening in 1994, it has received the local CAMRA branch's North London Pub of the Year award four times. The north London classification reflects CAMRA's use of postal districts rather than the pub's geographic position in the East End. The building's survival was threatened by redevelopment proposals. In 2010, news of possible demolition led to a campaign involving the local community and CAMRA. A demolition application was registered with Hackney Council in September 2011, with another application appearing in 2012. Protection increased when Hackney Council approved the extension of the Regent's Canal Conservation Area on 19 December 2011. After a period of closure, the pub was rescued, renovated and reopened on 3 June 2013. The renovation retained the pub function and added expanded residential accommodation on the upper floors. The Wenlock Arms has also acquired a place in popular culture. It was used as a location in The World's End, the 2013 film directed by Edgar Wright and written by Wright and Simon Pegg, and appears in the opening titles of Al Murray's Compete for the Meat. It is additionally associated with accounts of David Beckham visiting the pub with his grandfather. Its present proposition combines historic architecture, a traditional atmosphere and a recognised cask-ale range.

• 2013

  Pub reopens after rescue and renovation

  [1]The Wenlock Armsen.wikipedia.org

  The Wenlock Arms reopens on 3 June following closure, preservation efforts and building work.

• 2011

  Conservation protection expanded

  [1]The Wenlock Armsen.wikipedia.org

  Hackney Council approves an extension of the Regent's Canal Conservation Area, strengthening protection for the pub and its surroundings.

• 1999

  Wenlock Fireside Ale recreated

  [1]The Wenlock Armsen.wikipedia.org

  The Museum Brewery begins recreating Wenlock Fireside Ale from 1 November.

• 1994

  Modern reopening period begins

  [1]The Wenlock Armsen.wikipedia.org

  The pub's contemporary cask-ale reputation develops after its reopening in 1994.

• 1925

  Wenlock Brewery acquires New London Brewery houses

  [1]The Wenlock Armsen.wikipedia.org

  The Wenlock Brewery purchases licensed houses from the New London Brewery after its voluntary liquidation.

• 1887

  Glover Bell & Co takes over the brewery

  [1]The Wenlock Armsen.wikipedia.org

  After changes in the brewery's ownership, Glover Bell & Co assumes control.

• 1840

  John Lane takes over operation of the Wenlock Brewery

  [1]The Wenlock Armsen.wikipedia.org

  John Lane begins operating the nearby brewery, initially under the Lane & Bowden name.

• 1835

  Current building constructed

  [1]The Wenlock Armsen.wikipedia.org

  The building that houses the pub is constructed and later survives wartime bombing in the surrounding area.

• 1787

  Pub begins trading

  [1]The Wenlock Armsen.wikipedia.org

  The Wenlock Arms opens in Hoxton as a brewery-linked public house associated with the nearby Wenlock Brewery.

Traditional London pub with a heritage setting and specialist cask-ale reputation

• Beverage

  Cask ale selection

  The Wenlock Arms is primarily associated with a rotating and varied range of cask ales. Its reputation is based on traditional cellar service and beer quality, with recognition from the local CAMRA branch reinforcing its position among London pubs serving real ale.

• Historical beer · 1999

  Wenlock Fireside Ale

  A historical Wenlock-associated beer recreated by the Museum Brewery in Burton beginning in November 1999. It was available during 2000 and represented a temporary revival of the pub's brewing heritage.

• Food

  Traditional pub food

  The pub offers food as part of its traditional public-house proposition. The available reference material does not specify a permanent menu, signature dishes or particular culinary format.

• 2010Save the Wenlock Arms campaign

  United Kingdom

  A local preservation campaign was organised after reports that the historic pub might be demolished. The effort was supported by the surrounding community and CAMRA.

  Outcome. The campaign helped build opposition to redevelopment. Conservation-area protection was subsequently extended, and the pub was eventually rescued, renovated and reopened.

  Source

• 2011

  Challenge redevelopment and seek heritage protectionOther

  Background

  A proposal to demolish the existing pub and replace it with a new development was registered with Hackney Council amid a community preservation campaign.

  Action taken

  Local campaigners and CAMRA opposed the proposal while public authorities considered conservation measures for the area.

  Aftermath

  Hackney Council approved an extension of the Regent's Canal Conservation Area in December 2011. Following closure and renovation, the pub reopened in June 2013.

  Source

1. 1The Wenlock Armsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Official Wenlock Arms websitewenlockarms.com