Summary (by AI): I was fascinated by the Seymour Arms in Witham Friary, a historic pub that feels like a Victorian time capsule with its original fittings and affordable local beer.
Blog: Another absolutely stunning pub from CAMRA’s National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors list is the Seymour Arms. It’s a brilliant place, located in Witham Friary—a tiny little village deep in the heart of Somerset. There used to be a railway station there, and the pub itself was originally built as a hotel-slash-inn to serve travellers on the line. When the station closed down, it transitioned into being just a traditional country pub.
The incredible thing about the Seymour Arms is that it is an absolute time capsule. It has kept so many of its Victorian-era fittings, including the original flagstones on the floor. There are two simply furnished rooms on either side of a main corridor, and at the end of that corridor is a glazed serving hatch. Apparently, this used to be the old hotel reception desk, but now it serves as the bar itself. If you poke your head around the side, you can see all of the beer being served directly from the casks. I had a pint of their local bitter and almost fell off my chair because it only cost £3.50—in this day and age, that is an absolute bargain!
The outside is incredible, too. The village is lovely, and sitting out in the sun under the pub sign is just brilliant. Interestingly, it's a very old, non-traditional sign that doesn’t even have a picture on it. Historically, the reason pub signs had pictures was because so many people couldn't read; they could easily recognise a picture of a golden ball or a red lion. This one, however, is just text.
Another fascinating thing I noticed while sitting in the garden was these slightly raised humps on either side of the lawn. When I wandered over to investigate, I realised those humps were actually the structure of an old bridge. A brook runs right from one side of the garden to the other, but it has been completely tunnelled in, so the lawn just runs straight over the top of it.
It’s a fascinating place, and I’d definitely recommend a visit if you get the chance.
The Map: