Landlady celebrates 700th birthday of pub

THE landlady of a Henley pub that is the town’s oldest building is appealing for people to share their memories of it.

Claire Llewellyn, who has run the Old Bell in Bell Street since 2020, plans to create a wall of history to mark the Brakspear pub’s 700th anniversary.

She is piecing together stories about residents and people who have visited the pub over the years, which she will unveil at an anniversary party next month.

She hopes the wall in the back room will feature old pictures, drawings and stories.

Ms Llewellyn, 44, who lives near Stonor, said: “I have been planning this since I took over the pub and one of the reasons I took it over was because I loved how old it was.

“I love places that are steeped in history with beautiful architecture as there is something a bit magical about it all.

“I worked really hard to try to bring that feeling of the pub being old when I did the decor and the painting and I want to celebrate that.

“We have so many visitors to the town as well as locals and visitors especially are fascinated when they see that it’s Henley’s oldest building. People ask me about it all the time.”

The Old Bell dates back to 1325 and is thought to have been built as a wing of a large townhouse.

In the 1760s it was converted into a pub called the Duke of Cumberland. The pub was renamed The Old Bell in 1974 when it was designated as a Grade II* listed building. It was refronted in 1920.

Ms Llewellyn, who has three children, said she had had a good response to her memory wall idea.

She said: “I’ve had so many messages. I’ve had quite a lot of input from people giving me suggestions and email addresses of who to contact. That has been really lovely.

“I'm putting everything together now and I want to frame some photos and drawings which will tie into the history of the town itself. We’re going to get it all up in time to celebrate.”

The anniversary party is expected to be held on the evening of Saturday, March 29 and will be called “Throughout the Ages” and the landlady wants customers to dress in costume.

Ms Llewellyn said: “It doesn't matter from what time period. My partner Mickey and I will be going dressed in costume as close as possible to medieval times We want people to enjoy it and have fun.

“We’re hoping to have some commemorative merchandise made that people can purchase and hold on to and we’d like to do some things during the day as well.”

She will be accepting memories and mementoes at the pub for the next two to three weeks before putting together the installation. She would also welcome any help.