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The social history of any location is inevitably reflected in the history of its inns and taverns, and the parish of Oystermouth is certainly no exception. The long-time maritime associations of the area, the limestone-quarrying and oyster-dredging, the advent of the famous Mumbles Railway and associated explosion of visitors, all had a tremendous impact on the development of the licensed trade. The history of the Mumbles Lifeboat and the building of Mumbles Pier are also inextricably tied in to the story.
The Quarter Sessions Alehouse Recognizances of the 1750s show that no less than sixteen alehouses were licensed in Oystermouth Parish. The alehouse keepers at that time generally had other occupations such as ‘shipwright’, ‘mariner’ and even ‘collier’.
The George and Beaufort Pubs:
These old inns were sited alongside each other at Southend.
The George and Beaufort Pubs:
These old inns were sited alongside each other at Southend.
Both are in the above photo, The George on the left and the Beaufort Arms on the right (originally the Old Mermaid) which was closed in 1920, but which remains as an interesting historical building.
Originally known as the Old Mermaid and renamed the Beaufort Arms, by 1837. The building dates back to the 1700s.
Photo: The Historic Inns & Taverns of GowerA number of our present public houses can be traced back to the time of the Napoleonic Wars, including the Nags Head at The Dunns, the Beaufort at Norton (which was originally called the Ship) and the George at Southend (earlier known as the George and Dragon). Many others are of considerable historical interest, including those that have long since disappeared.
The ‘Swansea Pals’ leave The George Hotel, December 1914
The George and Beaufort Pubs, 1853-4
Photo: Peoples Collection WalesThe alehouses and beerhouses of the 19th century were very different from those we know today – they were often dark, dingy, low-ceilinged, many-roomed places with sanitary arrangements leaving very much to be desired! The Sunday-drinking laws which allowed ‘bona-fide’ travellers (i.e. those travelling more than three miles) to drink on Sundays resulted in large numbers of visitors thronging to Mumbles, crowding out the many public houses. The visitors were often described as being ‘of the rougher classes’ and their behaviour incurred the wrath of local people, particularly those of the religious community. The religious Revivals of 1904/5 no doubt raised awareness of the drunkenness that was prevalent at the time and deputations to the Licensing Authorities sought to close down many of the ‘offending’ public houses. One such deputation in 1906 resulted in the authorities resolving to inspect the following houses: the West Cross Hotel, Talbot, Rhondda, Refreshment Rooms, Nags Head, Oddfellows,
The George Hotel, the drangway to the hill and Beaufort Public House. Photo: 'Isobel.'
Jack Evans outside the Nags Head. Photo: Caroline Senior.
By Caroline Senior
By Caroline Senior
My Paternal Great Grandfather and grandmother were Jack (also known as John) and Amelia Evans, who ran the Nags Head in The Dunns, Mumbles.
Jack was a stonemason and he knocked the very old pub down and re built it.
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The Nag's Head, used by the Methodists in 1795, before they had their own church, is on the right, has a lamp above the door, c1922. Later, it was rebuilt (see comment below) and a third story added.
Around 1970, the shops on the left of the Dunns were demolished, as a part of a road widening scheme. The Nagg's Head Public House is featured here.
Caroline Senior commented: -
'I loved the old pictures in this post and saw The Nags Head, which my great grandfather knocked down and rebuilt.
Also my father was born in the room upstairs in 1917.My great Grandfather also lost his licence for men gambling in the Nags Head, so my grandmother and he moved to The Marine, Public House, where she was the Landlady and licence holder.
My grandparents lived then in Oakland Road until 1993-4 in a house my great grandfather who was a stonemason help build in 1900 approx.'
In 1972, the Nag's was renamed The Oystercatcher, before changing back to The Nag's head in 1995. Over time, its small rooms were merged to become a more modern open-plan style.
Later, the Nag's Head Pub had even more changes:
June 2012, after changing into a Costa Coffee Shop.
Then the Dark Horse Restaurant, Oct 2020
The Naggs Head and The White Rose Hotels, The Dunns, April 2009
The Ship & Castle Newton (now called The Newton Inn), Rock & Fountain, George, Beaufort Mumbles, Ship & Castle Mumbles, Mermaid, Marine, Pilot, Waterloo Stores, Prince of Wales, Antelope, Park, Hill House, Pier Hotel and Victoria. This inspection was to be carried out ‘with a view to serving Notice of Objection to renewal of all or any of the licences’ – it was stated that a total of 24 houses were serving a local population of less than 5000 (apparently two houses escaped the inspection). Over the next 20 years, a number of these houses were closed, as had earlier happened to inns such as the Albion, Ship, Greyhound, Ship Aground, Fountain, Somerset House, Rose & Crown and numerous others. A stroll around Mumbles today will show those that survived – but be aware that some have changed their names!
The Ship & Castle, Newton (now called The Newton Inn).
The Rock and Fountain was run by the Woollacotts, then by Gerald Munday in the 1950s.
A new book
The book has been substantially rewritten with lots of new material (and full colour) and sits happily alongside the original book, rather than replacing it!
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