The Old Crown Inn, a treasured village pub just two miles from Bath, is set to reopen after being closed for almost a year. The pub, located in Kelston, shut its doors in November last year following the departure of its manager for personal reasons.
The announcement that The Old Crown Inn will be reopening comes as Georgina Baker takes on the role of landlady. Ms Baker brings a wealth of experience, having previously managed well-known establishments including the Crown & Horseshoe in Bristol and The Lord Nelson Marshfield in Chippenham.
A spokesperson for The Old Crown Inn shared the exciting news on Facebook on Thursday, 27 August, with a statement to patrons: “The wait is officially over-well, almost! We are absolutely thrilled to announce that The Old Crown Inn is under new management, and we are working tirelessly behind the scenes to get the doors open for you as soon as possible.”
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The message went on to express gratitude for the local community’s warm welcome. “We want to give a massive thank you to the village already. We have felt incredibly welcome, and it has been amazing to see how many of you lovely locals are already eager to get involved and support us. This is your pub, and we can’t wait to share it with you again. You are in incredibly safe hands.”
The new management team underscored Georgina Baker’s commitment to revitalising historic pubs, stating: “The Old Crown Inn is now part of the family led by Georgina Baker, who you might know as the visionary owner behind the Crown & Horseshoe and The Lord Nelson Marshfield. Georgina has a passion for completely transforming beautiful, historic pubs and bringing them back to life. She is bringing that exact same magic, dedication, and care right here to Kelston.”
Regular patrons have warmly welcomed the announcement. One commented, “I was hoping to see a post like this as I was driving past and thinking of what a lovely pub it is… So glad it is coming alive again.”
Many expressed how much they had missed The Old Crown Inn during its closure, while others praised Ms Baker: “You go girl! Loved that pub and you’ve done such an amazing job with the others.”
Nestled in the village of Kelston, The Crown Inn holds a special place as a beloved local landmark and attracts visitors from nearby attractions like Kelston Roundhill and the Bath Soft Cheese Cafe. The pub boasts 755 Google reviews with an impressive average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Visitors frequently commend its dog-friendly atmosphere and picturesque garden. One review reads, “Lovely dog-friendly pub with a garden. Staff were very kind and service was quick. We stayed for a bit to watch a game and enjoyed a quick lunch after doing the walk up Roundhill. Food was absolutely delicious. Gorgeous spot!”
Another guest shared, “Stunning, really enjoyed and the garden is so beautiful. Food was delicious and thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere of the place. I hope to have the good fortune to return.”
The pub has also been chosen as a wedding venue, with one couple sharing, “We recently had the immense pleasure of celebrating our wedding at The Crown at Kelston. We can genuinely say it was the most perfect day imaginable, largely thanks to the incredible team there. We cannot recommend The Crown highly enough for any event, especially a wedding.
“If you’re looking for a venue where you can relax and truly enjoy your special day, knowing everything is in expert hands, look no further!”
As of now, no official reopening date has been announced for The Old Crown Inn, but anticipation among locals and visitors continues to grow as refurbishment and preparations progress.