This page is one of several pages which are based on articles in our book entitled Royal Leamington Spa, A History in 100 Buildings which was published in 2018 and is no longer in print.
Nineteenth-Century Leamington boasted well over 300 pubs and beer houses. Many of these have been demolished or used for other purposes. However, The Star and Garter, at Nos 4 and 6 Warwick Street, survived and is now the oldest Leamington pub still in operation on the same site today.
According to local historian Lyndon Cave, the Star and Garter was established on the bank of the Bins Brook (now culverted) before the new town was laid out in 1808. Cave also stated that “in 1817 the inn was run by Tom Oliver, a well-known retired jockey”. It was frequented by the racing fraternity. The road to Warwick passed in front of the pub but it was not until 1821, that a new road and bridge were built and access to the racecourse in Warwick became easier.
In 1831, the premises included a public dining room capable of seating 250 people, three parlours, two kitchens, bar, nine bedrooms, a brew house, stables, coach houses and a malt house. The first two listed licensees went bankrupt and the premises were then taken over by W Hughes in 1836-7. He advertised the business as the Star Hotel and it continued as such until 1850.
During the 1950s it was owned by Marston, Thompson and Evershed Ltd before being sold to Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries Ltd (1999) and then Greene King (2001).
Whilst in the ownership of Marstons, the pub was extended about 1988, after Marstons had purchased a next-door property. The project cost over £200,000 and included an enlarged catering area and the construction of an open-plan split-level interior. Every attempt was made to preserve and enhance the pub’s Victorian atmosphere.
In March 2012, the new owners, Peach Pubs, applied for planning permission to erect a two-storey rear extension, a balustrade to the front elevation at first floor level and make alterations to the front windows. Peach described the pub as having a stylish new look in keeping with the age and character of the property, while there would be a more relaxed-style seating and Victorian-style lighting. The upstairs area was to be converted into a private dining room seating twenty-four with its own balcony overlooking the park (The Dell) opposite.
Following on from the extensive refurbishment, the Star and Garter reopened on Saturday 29th September 2012 and remains a popular eating and drinking establishment to this day.
Michael Pearson, 2018
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS are presented at the end of this page — https://leamingtonhistory.co.uk/articles-from-royal-leamington-spa-a-history-in-100-buildings/