Exmouth: Topsham pub re-listed in recognition of historic interior

The Bridge Inn in Topsham, a Grade II listed property, has been re-listed in recognition of its historic interior.

It was first listed in 1952. Its list entry on Historic England's website has now been updated to include information about the inside.

One aspect highlighted was that The Bridge Inn has a private parlour where customers can sit behind a working serving area. Only a handful of other pubs are thought to have rooms like this.

Containing a former malthouse with a kiln, the pub evolved from a coaching inn in the 1700s and has been run by the same family since 1897.

It has 'probable earlier origins', according to Historic England.

The list reads: "The Bridge Inn, Topsham is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

"Architectural interest: As an evolved C18 coaching inn it survives well as an early example of a building type that is well-constructed using the vernacular traditions of the area; the pub retains a remarkably complete C19 and C20 pub interior with fittings and advertising of note. The unusual layout includes a private parlour to the rear of the small servery; the late C18 or early brick kiln and former malthouse are notable survivals.

"Historic interest: The evidence of a brewing operation on the site that directly supplied the commercial running of the inn is of interest at national level. The malt kiln is an essential part of a maltings and early kilns provide evidence of aspects of the brewing industry during the Industrial Revolution."

The Bridge Inn was also visited by Queen Elizabeth in 1998 - and is thought to have been her first official visit to a public house.

Click here to see its list entry.