Empty village pub near Bristol Airport will be reopening soon with a well-known new owner - here's when

Catherine Withers battled for year’s as Bristol’s last farmer, for Yew Tree Farm in Bedminster Down to remain open.

Her family has been farming in the area for 500 years dating back to Henry VIII and had worked at Yew Tree Farm since the 1960s.

Unfortunately, following several years of conflict over future plans for part of the farmland, she was forced out of Yew Tree Farm at the end of 2025.

After leaving the farm, she is moved to Barrow Gurney, on the edge of Bristol, to become the new landlord of the closed village pub, the Prince’s Motto.

On a recent Facebook post, Catherine Withers announced: “Stunning morning this morning and an exciting announcement that we are opening the doors to Prince’s Motto on Good Friday (April 3).

“It seems unbelievable that we’ve actually got to this state.

“We won’t have a full kitchen. The Kitchen is just not ready yet, but the doors will be open. The beer will be flowing and there will be a friendly welcome.

“So, I really, really hope, over the Easter weekend, if you are around, you can come in and say hi, and smile, and realise this is not the finish job yet, but we’ve started and the pub is open, and the village will have a pub again.

“I hope to see you there and I’m very excited. Thank you.”

The Prince’s Motto, Barrow St, Barrow Gurney, Bristol BS48 3RY