The Navigation

The Navigation

A road and canal side public house in the Tudor-Revival style, built in 1931 by Percy J. Clark of Scott & Clark.

The building is constructed of Flemish-bond brick on the ground floor with applied timber-framing on the first floor, all under a clay tile roof. It has a rectangular plan with a small extension to the south-east corner. The first floor contains a U-shaped arrangement of rooms. The original internal layout featured a central island bar surrounded by separate seating areas.

The exterior is two storeys, with the front (west) elevation facing the road and the rear (east) facing the canal. The front elevation displays symmetrical fenestration with a central porch and a jettied gable above. The entrance comprises two panelled doors with decorative strap hinges and a central glazed panel (with modern glazing), topped by a leaded over-door light with stained glass detailing. A lateral brick stack stands to the right. The north elevation has steps leading to a side entrance and features a projecting central gabled bay with two casement windows on the ground floor and one above. The rear of the building consists of a single-storey range with a small wing to the right, a curved bay and entrance to the left. The south elevation has two bays, including a canted bay to the right. Most principal ground-floor windows are late 20th-century replacements in the original openings, though original glazing with leaded casements and stained glass emblem details survives on the rear and side elevations and the first floor. The roof is hipped with additional stacks located to the rear.

The entrance doors open onto a small foyer with panelled partitions containing elaborate stained glass windows with various heraldic motifs, leading through to the public bar. The bar originally divided into at least three separate rooms but has been partially opened out to create one interconnected space; evidence of the original arrangement survives in wall stubs and ceiling beams. The original central island bar area remains intact, featuring curved panels with diagonal tongue and groove strip, contemporary arched bar top and gantry. To the right of the entrance is a panelled room with applied timber ceiling beams, a fireplace with timber surround, and decorative moulded plasterwork depicting a lion and floral design. Beyond is a separate entrance with a small foyer containing mid-20th-century panelling and light fitting. To the left of the main entrance is a seating area with low timber partitions in the same style as the bar front, inset with stained glass windows, bench seating and a fireplace with carved timber surround and geometric plaster detailing on the ceiling. Towards the rear is another seating area overlooking the canal, featuring a curved bay with seating and a ceiling decorated with a large oval plaster wreath incorporating hops and barley details, plus a fireplace with a brick arch. The fixed original bench seating has pipe heating underneath. At either end of the pub are male and female toilets with panelled doors containing further stained glass detailing. Behind the serving area lie the kitchen and stairway to the cellar and first floor. The staircase is original, with a painted lattice banister and mahogany handrail. The first floor retains its U-shaped plan largely unaltered, with the principal change being insertion of a modern fire exit leading to the rear balcony. Original panelled doors, built-in cupboards and one tiled fireplace have been retained.