Bear Inn, 23 and 24 North Gate, Bridgnorth

Image: © Jo and Steve Turner Taken: 18 Sep 2016

Grade II Listed former coaching Inn dated as early 19th century in the listing but probably with 17th or 18th century origins as the Nags Head before this name was moved, according to About Bridgnorth, to 24 High Street prior to 1775; although the Lost Pubs Project give an address for the Nags Head as 58 High Street, a claim supported by Bridgnorth Through Time by Clive Gwilt, who also indicates the 16th century No.25 North Gate was half of the Bear Inn and later the Reindeer Inn and shown on a 1835 map as The Buck. An 1884 map shows No.24 as the Brown Bear Inn and later maps have just No.23 simply labelled 'Inn'. It once brewed its own beer as the coppers and hand pump can still be seen at the rear. A 14'6" (4.43m) deep well also exists but is now covered over. The inn was taken over by newly formed APA Taverns Ltd in late 2014 with the stated intention of taking on four or five pubs, with the chance of brewing their own beer on site. Directory entries include; 1828 John Smallman, Bear, High Street; 1835 Ann Page; 1842 William Botwood; 1851-1859 John Bishop; 1868-1871 John Bishop, Brown Bear, 28 Northgate; 1880 Ann Evans, Brown Bear, 20 Northgate; 1891-1895 Thomas Turley (No.24 - & blacksmith); 1913 Mrs Elizabeth Sarah Roberts (No.24). It seems to have been called the Brown Bear for a few years and the changing numbers probably reflect re-numbering.

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