The oldest pub in Keynsham closes its doors suddenly

A Keynsham pub that dates back to the 17th century, and is the oldest in the town, has closed its doors suddenly.

The stone-built Ship Inn pub on Temple Street, which dates from 1636, is described as ‘temporarily closed’ online and when Bristol World visited the pub on Thursday (May 18), the door was closed and metal security boards had been placed in the windows. The pub’s small car park also had a concrete barricade blocking the entrance.

The popular real ale pub reopened in August 2021 with new lessees after a lengthy period of closure due to the pandemic.

Owned by London-based Wellington Pub Company, the Grade II-listed Ship is a pub with an interior of special national historic interest, according to CAMRA.

The stone mullioned windows on the front of the pub are described as ‘most unusual’ and other interesting features are the old panelling and colourful quarry tiled floor.

CAMRA describes the public bar on the right of the pub as having ‘some of the finest bar fittings in North Somerset - an impressive long carved bar-back with barley-twist columns, mirrored sections and a significant part of surviving lower shelving; also a fine early twentieth century counter.’

The terraced garden at the rear of the pub is on several levels, and has two petanque courts overlooking the riverside park.

Bristol World has contacted Wellington Pub Company for comment.