From Georgian fireplaces to former workhouses – the surprising story of our village’s drinking spots
Kempsey is a village with deep roots – Roman roads, Saxon settlers, medieval bishops and, of course, a long tradition of pubs, pints, and places to swap gossip. While the village today has a small handful of pubs, the story behind them is far richer than most locals realise.
In fact, when you dig into Kempsey’s pub history, you uncover 18th-century settles, a name change fit for a bishop, and even a workhouse that reinvented itself as a pub. Very on-brand for Kempsey, really.
Let’s take a cheerful stroll through the history of the village’s best-known drinking establishments…
The Walter de Cantelupe Inn – A pub with a bishop’s name and a Georgian heart
If Kempsey had to nominate a pub for “Most Likely to Have Been Standing During the American Revolution,” the Walter de Cantelupe would win hands-down.
Originally known as the Queens Head, the building still displays unmistakable 1700s features: a huge inglenook fireplace, and a fabulous 18th-century settle that looks like it has overheard at least 300 years of village gossip.
At some point, the pub took on a grander name – honouring Walter de Cantilupe, a 13th-century Bishop of Worcester. Medieval name, Georgian features, modern beer: perfect.
Today, the pub continues its role as one of Kempsey’s cosiest haunts, offering ales, food, rooms, and that unmistakable atmosphere of “this place has stories.”
Oldest Pub Building in the Village?
Based on available evidence: almost certainly, yes. The Georgian features give it the strongest claim to being Kempsey’s oldest surviving pub site.
The Anchor Inn – A modern main-road local with roots we can’t quite pin down
Sitting proudly on Main Road, the Anchor Inn is one of Kempsey’s longest-recognised village pubs.
But here’s the twist: despite its well-known presence, there’s no public record confirming the age of the building. No mentions of 300-year-old beams, no charming Victorian anecdotes — nothing that ties it securely to the 18th century or earlier.
Does that make it less of a village staple? Absolutely not.
The Anchor is very much part of the modern heartbeat of Kempsey, serving locals, dog-walkers, families, and those who’ve just survived the school run.
What it lacks in documented ancient tavern lore, it makes up for with dependable hospitality. And who knows – maybe its history is just waiting for someone to uncover the missing pieces.
The Crown – A beloved village local whose history hides in plain sight
The Crown has long been part of the Main Road pub circuit in Kempsey. While it doesn’t present obvious 18th-century architecture or medieval stonework on first glance, it has stood as a familiar landmark and community watering hole for generations.
Many residents will recall its various refurbishments, ownership changes, and eras of revival — but as with many English village pubs, its deeper roots are likely tucked away in parish archives rather than online.
The Crown may not shout about its age, but it earns its place in Kempsey’s pub lineup through decades of service, Sunday lunches, and the sort of bar conversations that only ever happen in village pubs.
The Talbot – Marstons family-friendly pub with modern energy and classic touches
The Talbot on Main Road is one of the village’s most visible and familiar pubs – offering food, seating areas, and that classic “meet you at the pub?” vibe.
While the Talbot doesn’t have the same recorded Georgian features as the Walter de Cantelupe, it has its own long and well-loved history as part of Kempsey’s social fabric. Over the years it has undergone updates, refreshed menus, and adapted to the modern pub-goer.
No 300-year-old farmhouse beams here, but The Talbot has become a core part of Kempsey’s contemporary pub identity.
The Farmers Arms (1896–2006) -The pub that began life as… a parish workhouse
Of all Kempsey’s pub stories, this one is perhaps the most surprising.
Long before it pulled pints, the building on Kempsey Common served as the parish workhouse. If walls could talk, these ones could deliver lectures on Victorian social policy.
Then, in 1896, the workhouse was transformed into a tavern and became the Farmers Arms — a pub that quickly earned its own loyal following. For over a century it welcomed locals, walkers, farmers, and the occasional escapee from Worcester traffic.
Sadly, the pub closed in 2006 and is now a private home, but its unusual history forms a fascinating chapter in Kempsey’s social evolution.
From hardship to happy hour — now that’s a transformation.
A Quick Timeline of Kempsey’s Pub History
| Period / Date | Pub / Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1700s | Walter de Cantelupe Inn building constructed | Georgian features still present today |
| 1700s–1800s | Queens Head operating on the site (later renamed Walter de Cantelupe) | Strongest contender for Kempsey’s oldest pub |
| 1800s (likely) | Early operation of The Crown and/or Anchor | Exact dates not digitised; both long-standing community pubs |
| 1896 | Parish workhouse becomes the Farmers Arms | Oldest documented conversion event |
| 1900s | The Talbot emerges as a modern village pub | Evolves into the family-friendly venue it is today |
| 2006 | Farmers Arms closes | Building becomes residential |
| Today | Walter de Cantelupe, Anchor, Crown, and Talbot remain defining parts of village life | Kempsey’s pub heritage continues |
