Pubs and Bars / A-Z Bristol pub crawl
A-Z Bristol Pub Crawl: The Old England, Montpelier
If you have been inspired by the Ashes so far and want to cream a cover drive in the style of Zak Crawley, then there is only one pub in Bristol to visit.
The Old England is believed to be the only pub in the UK with its own cricket nets, with today’s cricketers continuing to use the nets that have been here since Victorian times.
The nets are hidden in the back garden behind Montpelier Health Centre, with players from the Old England Cricket Club regularly using them.
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The cricket nets were installed by a landlord for the benefit of cricketing collosus WG Grace, with large crowds gathering to watch him practising on Sunday afternoons.
An illustration of Grace alongside his signature remains above the front door of the pub.
The Old England was originally part of Rennison’s Grand Pleasure Baths, built in 1764 and by all accounts rather a licentious place due to being outside of Bristol’s boundaries and thus beyond the jurisdiction of local magistrates.
An open jam night in the Old England
Wood panelling predominates in the ground floor of the pub
Walk up these steps to access a large first floor room and the way into the garden
Montpelier’s independent spirit continues to this day and nowhere better encapsulates that than the Old England, known by regulars as the Old E.
On a recent Thursday evening, an open jam night was taking place inside while most of the punters were sat in the pub’s beer garden carching the last of the day’s sun.
Look out for other music events throughout the week. It’s not just the sound of leather on willow here.
The Old England, 43 Bath Buildings, Montpelier, Bristol, BS6 5PT
www.oldenglandbristol.co.uk
All photos: Martin Booth
Read next:
- New cricket exhibition opens at SS Great Britain
- 18 things you probably didn’t know about Montpelier
- Montpelier named ‘hippest’ place in the UK
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