Coeur De Lion, Bath Pub Review

Coeur De Lion, Bath

Posted on 11. Jun, 2010 by Robert Gale in Pubs

Coeur De Lion

Located in a narrow alleyway called Northumberland place, a short walk from the Abbey, is Bath’s smallest pub, the Coeur De Lion.

Brief History

The pub can trace it’s roots back to around 1860 when a woodcarver called William Blatt acquired a license to sell beer in a building opposite the current pub. The pub was then called the Avondale Stores. In 1880, the pub was renamed to the Coeur De Lion and in 1886 the it was relocated to its current location.

The name Coeur De Lion is an unusual name and it may well be the only pub in Britain with that name. The pub is currently owned by Abbey Ales – the only brewery in Bath – and is described as a ‘gem’ by CAMRA.

Interior

The Coeur De Lion lives up to its name of being the smallest pub in Bath with seating for around 20-25 people in the main bar. There is additional seating upstairs for diners but they have to use the bar downstairs. There are also a few tables outside in the alley.

The entire front of the pub features stained glass window with the name of the Devenish Brewery. The brewery once owned the pub and caused a stir in 1987 when it announced that it was considering closing the pub and converting it in a shop. A petition was created and with support from various historical societies and the local council, the plans were rejected and the pub remained open.

I arrived at 12pm on a Sunday just as it was opening and within a few minutes the pub had already filled up which was a good indication of its popularity.

The Beer

Being a Abbey Ales pub, there were two ales available from the brewery – Bellringer and Bellringer Maximus. Also on tap was Sharp’s Doom Bar and Box Steam Golden Bolt. Due to the popularity of the pub, the prices are a little on the expensive side with Doom Bar selling for £3.20 and Bellringer Maxmimus selling for £3.30 a pint.

Depsite the price of the beer and the fact that you may struggle to get a seat, the pub is definitely worth a visit.

More Photos of the Coeur De Lion

Venue Location

Coeur De Lion

27 Northumberland Place

Bath

BA1 5AR

Tel: 01225 463 568

www.coeur-de-lion.co.uk

Robert Gale (Twitter: @awv)

Beer Taster, Pub Attendee, Photo Taker

Robert Gale likes beer, pubs and beer festivals. He also likes to take photos of beer, pubs and beer festivals. Most weekends of the year you can find him travelling around the UK (and sometimes beyond) photographing and reviewing good quality pubs and beer festivals. He also has a day job in the form of a web developer for Ozum.