The Star Inn

The Star Inn comprises two houses, now a public house, dating to the late 18th century. Alterations were made in 1928 by W.A. Williams, an architect of Old Bond Street. The building is constructed of limestone ashlar, with a hidden roof. The site's wedge shape results in a plan that is partly single-depth and partly double-depth. The architecture is of three storeys and a full attic storey, likely added during conversion and remodelling. The ground floor features four arch-headed windows and two doors. A platband sits above the ground floor, with a sill band to the first floor. A late Victorian painted inscription reads “ALE, THE STAR INN, HOUSE”. The windows above are tripartite to the left and centre, and single to the right, all with plain sashes. A cornice separates the second and third floors, topped by a coped parapet and an ashlar stack that likely represents the original party wall. The rear elevation is not visible.

Inside, the pub retains a carefully preserved and atmospheric interior, rare for its lack of overt extravagance. It consists of a tight sequence of small, intimately-scaled spaces with extensive boarded panelling. The left-hand lounge features panelling from 1928. A fielded bar counter is present along with behind-bar fittings. The main bar features a bolection-moulded fireplace surround with a relief depicting a star above hops, also dating to 1928. The upper floors were not inspected but formerly housed a clubroom on the first floor.

The building was first shown on a map of 1793, and a license permitting its use as a public house dates to 1776, which is displayed on the wall. The houses appear to have been completely refaced around 1900; the ashlar used has a slightly different character than the adjacent buildings. A copy of the 1928 architect’s drawing, illustrating the proposed use and alterations, is on display in the bar. The Star Inn is a noteworthy example of an unpretentious town pub, retaining its original fittings and compartments.