A look back at five pubs that were lost from Newtown, Powys

Sadly the loss of these community meetings places, often centuries old, will deprive areas of historical links to its past.

Powys' largest town, Newtown, has fewer pubs than it has ever had in its storied history with just a handful remaining to serve a population which, over the years, has frequented nearly 90 pubs, inns and taverns.

The County Times looks back at five beloved lost Newtown pubs.

There are many more with dozens closed at the start of the 20th century, as the Temperance movement tightened its grip on the Severn Valley.

The Angel

The High Street pub was believed to have been in existence as a hotel as early as 1800 and during its earliest years was on the carrier route to Aberystwyth.

In 1861 the pub was taken over by Cornelius Morgan who owned a brewery which ran through to Market Street where he owned the Angel Vaults which he sold in 1890.

The pub continued to serve the town throughout the 20th century but closed in 2017 to make way for a coffee shop.

The Angel in Newtown which closed in 2017.

Bear Hotel

EVEN the mention of the name of the lost hotel to Newtonians of a certain generation is sufficient to prompt outcry.

It is fair to say many have never forgiven the decision to tear down the hotel to make way for a shopping centre in 1987.

The inn first opened in 1768 as a coaching inn called the Bear's Head with travellers stopping off at the inn on their way to destinations across the country.

Newtown-born social reformer Robert Owen died while a guest there in 1858 and in 1907 the founder of the worldwide Scout movement, Lord Baden Powell, stayed at the inn which officially became a hotel in 1898.

The hotel was known as one of Newtown's social and cultural centres and even had its own bowling green.

Tragically the hotel was sold in 1987 and more than 200 years of history demolished to make way for a shopping centre which paid homage to the hotel with its facade replicated.

The Bear Hotel in Newtown. 

Bell Hotel

The Commercial Street pub closed to the public in 2018, bringing to an end more than 150 years of history.

The hotel opened in 1840 and among its first landlords was the ill-fated John Howe, a Waterloo veteran, who fell while feeding his seven pigs in 1844, was knocked unconscious and eaten alive by the animals.

The Bell expanded to incorporate the next door shop with remnants of the latter surviving still in the form of a letterbox.

During its later years the hotel became known for its live music and popularity with a more senior clientele.

The Bell Hotel in Newtown.

Cross Guns

THE pub first came into existence around 1822 and situated alongside weaving lofts which had once been common on Park Street.

The passage to the inn was altered several times during the 19th century.

During the early 20th century a regular called Richard Evans took up a bet the he could ride a horse through the passage but ended up scalping himself.

The inn closed its doors in 2000 and has since spent time as a Greek and Italian restaurant.

La Terrazza, formerly home of the Cross Guns.

The Grapes

ANOTHER Commercial Street pub to have first opened in the early 19th century which sadly closed in 2014 was The Grapes.

The pub opened in 1827 and spent some time as a church vestry.

In 1837, the pub was the site of the death of Richard Powell who fought in the American War of Independence and whose son, Thomas, became a prominent Chartist during the political riots which erupted at that time.

The Grapes was known for its locals singing and loud music which angered Penygloddfa residents and it became a target of the Temperance movement which championed for the closure of many of the town's pubs at the start of the 20th century.

Yet the Grapes continued for another century despite spells of closure, but finally succumbed to changes in the landscape for pubs, shutting its doors for good in 2014.

The Grapes in Newtown. Picture: Jaggery/Geograph.