In the mists of legend & myth
According to a very ancient man, I never learned his name and now sadly passed away
"The Hut" was a hut at the start/end of a toll road. Beowulf who manned the toll
booth was pretty bored most of the time, the local lord's idea of a toll road from
nowhere to nowhere was producing the kind of profits even a simpleton could have
forecast. Beowulf decided to offer travellers refreshment and so The Hut was born
offering good ale and fresh food. As for the toll road, well everyone stopped at
The Hut so no tolls were ever paid. The Lord survived (no surprise there), in time
Beowulf moved on, however many fanciful stories of his travels returned to the manor.
Of course none of this is documented so it cannot be proved. Fortunately for us
marketing people it cannot be proved that it didn't happen either and that makes
for a nice intro.
Mid Industrial revolution
The pub was first registered in 1850 approx and there is an almost complete list
of all the tenants/licensees down the years on display in the pub. For many decades
The Hut Pub was licensed to sell ales only this continued right up to the 70's.
The pub had hardly changed over the years with one huge exception when the then
lincensees wanted a full license the local authorities insisted that toilet facilities
be provided for ladies, to be honest the men were not faring to well either with
the toilets in a shed several paces from the pub in the garden (wasteland would
be a better description).
Turn of the century
In 2002 the Collins family bought the freehold and major change was on the cards.
After many months of the usual dance with the authorities permission was granted
to commence the works. Though the works were comprehensive the three major areas
that have dramatically changed the character of the pub are
- A new basement cellar temperature controlled and easily kept spotlessly clean.
- A new trade kitchen complete with new equipment.
- And most obvious of all to the customers new toilets which though we say so ourselves
are kept impecable.
There was of course other works, a major refurbishment, the addition of a dining
room, garden with large patio, covered veranda and last but not least the whole
covered in flowers and shrubs throughout spring, summer and autum.
Today
Today The Hut is now a family run establishment with a Thai restaurant as befits
the cosmopolitan age. In keeping with its past heritage as an ale house there is
an extremely well run cellar serving crystal clear beers, a joy palate and served
in crystal clear glasses a joy to the eye as well. There is also a purpose built
trade kitchen creating wonderful Thai dishes. To complete the setting there is off
street parking.
And YES we still have the BBIU as mentioned in an online review a few years back.
Stop the Press
19/07/2010
History in the making. This very day we were awarded the Best Kept Cellar in the
Southeast of England. England is divided into three areas Southeast, Southwest and
The North and The Hut Pub for 2010 has won the prestigous award, check above the
door and of course all over this website, this has to be shouted from the rooftops.
The Future
We look forward to your next visit here, better still a visit to us here at The
Hut Pub