Packhorse Inn

Serving: Ales, Traditional Cider, Good Food & Fine Wines.
Dogs & Children Welcome

Situated just a short taxi ride (2 ½ miles) from Bath city centre, the Packhorse Inn nestles in the centre of the idyllic country village of Southstoke. Even to the most casual observer descending the steep hill from Bath through the little village of Southstoke the charming pub clinging to the hillside is an old one. In fact the present building of the Pack Horse Inn is in excess of 500 years old. The story of the old bath stone building begins at least 700 years ago with the building of a priory in Southstoke. As was the custom the monks built a guesthouse or hostelry to provide shelter with food and drink for travellers and pilgrims. In 1489 the Pack Horse was rebuilt with two fair chambers upon the ground floor and the same upon the first. Curiously the house was, and still is, divided by a passage way through its middle that leads to the church, but it was not until 1647 that anyone thought to put up a door to keep out the draughts.

It was a custom for the dead from the Packhorse cottages opposite to be taken to their last resting place through this passage way and they would always leave a few pence in their will to buy a last round of drinks on their last visit to the pub.