The Queen Victoria Inn, affectionately known as ‘Britain’s most festive pub,’ is preparing for a new chapter as its current owners announce their departure. Located in the small village of Priddy, Somerset, the pub has become a seasonal landmark celebrated for its extraordinary Christmas light displays that draw visitors from far and wide.
For over ten years, the pub has transformed into a sparkling winter wonderland, raising funds for charity with its festive decorations. Last year, the display featured a remarkable 26-foot snowman crafted from 2,500 recycled wine bottles, captivating all who visited.
On Facebook, the current owners, Mark and Debs Walton, shared the news with their loyal customers: “Mark & Debs are officially leaving The Vic on 1st September. To allow time to pack up and clean the kitchen, there will be no food service this week (from now until 1st September). The Vic will reopen under new management on 2nd September. A heartfelt THANK YOU to all our amazing customers for your support over the years. It’s been a pleasure serving you.”
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Reflecting on the festive displays, Mark Walton, 57, remarked last December, “It brings many visitors - it is absolutely mental. We are a little pub in the middle of nowhere, and it puts us on the map. It gets us through the quiet times. It has been in the top 10 Christmas decorations on Microsoft News and things like that, and we just laugh at it. We just walk past it and think nothing of it and then you see people coming in and they are like ‘wow’.”
As the pub transitions to new management, fans of the Queen Victoria Inn will undoubtedly look forward to future festive seasons filled with the same spirit and community charm.