When Glenna Waterhouse first stumbled upon the Badger’s Holt in the quiet village of Bridgetown on Exmoor, it was purely by chance during a holiday. With her caravan in tow, she was visiting friends who had recently settled in the area – far from seeking a new career or calling. However, this holiday stop would soon become a life-changing journey.
Once a nicotine-stained working men’s pub, the Badger’s Holt transformed under Glenna’s care into a warm, welcoming hub that thrived on genuine community spirit, lively conversations, and the occasional village scandal. Now, as Glenna prepares to retire after nearly two decades behind the bar, she reflects on a chapter marked by joy, challenges, and even international headlines.
“I used to be a science teacher,” Glenna recalls, “and my then-husband Keith, also a science teacher, joked grimly that if we stayed in teaching much longer, he might ‘kill a kid’.” It was Keith’s dramatic push that led the couple to visit their friends’ campsite in Exmoor in 2005. There, Glenna first encountered the Badger’s Holt, which was then on the market.
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Despite initial scepticism, and a rejected lowball offer, they eventually struck a deal to buy the pub in April after the sellers returned ready to negotiate. On the very day Glenna was leaving her teaching job, Keith shocked her with the news that the sellers might back out — yet with their home already sold, Glenna and Keith relocated in August 2006, moving into a pub that was far from charming.
“It was horrible at first,” she says. “The seating was torn and taped, the walls stained with nicotine. It looked like a relic of a working men’s club.” Keith had started renovations before Glenna arrived, painting walls and replacing the furniture to make the place livable.
While it was initially Keith’s dream, Glenna became the face of the pub, fostering a welcoming environment. Over the years, the Badger’s Holt hosted quiz nights, steak nights, and curry evenings, blending local regulars and tourists alike into its fabric.
For Glenna, it was never just about business. “I loved when locals lingered late with drinks, sharing stories – from manograms to the most bizarre topics. There’s a special kind of camaraderie here. People talk freely, knowing I won’t spread it.”
However, the journey wasn’t without hardships. The Covid-19 pandemic hit them hard. When their daughter visited during restrictions, a police complaint was made. Keith’s response—a blunt sign telling the complainants to “f*** off”—made global headlines, turning their quiet village pub into an unlikely news story that even reached their son in Sydney. Though Glenna was initially horrified, fellow landlords nationwide expressed support for their stand.
Tragedy struck when Keith passed away at 59, leaving Glenna to manage the pub alone. “He drank too much and had liver disease,” she says quietly. His death heavily influenced Glenna’s decision to step down. “Had he survived, he’d still be running the pub.”
Now 66, Glenna feels it’s time for new energy to take the reins. While her daughter encourages her to move to Essex, Glenna prefers the rugged beauty of northern England – though merely as a visitor. Her priority is finding the right custodian for the Badger’s Holt.
“It needs someone younger, in their mid-forties perhaps, with vision, willing to open more hours. But it has to stay a traditional pub – part of the community, welcoming tourists without gimmicks or fancy menus.” Her advice to future owners? “Be yourself. Run it your way. Try ideas, scrap what doesn’t work – this village respects honesty.”
Despite being listed for sale, interest has been limited. Glenna fears closure or conversion to a private home, which would spell the end for a pub that’s been a community cornerstone since 1640. “It would be a travesty if it closed.”
As she prepares to hand over the keys or potentially close its doors, Glenna holds on to memories both joyful and painful. “I won’t be happy to leave, but life moves on.”
The Badger’s Holt patiently awaits its next chapter – and with it, new stories yet to unfold.