two putti celebrate the name and
the pub sign celebrates the chimneys.
I could find no other information of the history of the pub but it is near a canal mooring point and canal bridge number 123. You can always depend on lots of pubs on a canal. I find it interesting that it was built at this late date when most canals were in decline (the railways were taking the trade) but perhaps the reason this canal was different because of rivalry. The canal was leased to the LNWR (London and North Western Railways) and operated energetically because a large portion of the canal ran through the area of their great rival the Great Western Railway. In 1895 there were about 400 boats operating on this stretch. By the 1920s the days of bulk water transport were ended. But to bring up to date more of interest to me is that it was in last years Good Beer Guide and has a wide selection of real ale. How did I miss that? Next time we are down in this area I will have to shepherd my companions through the door and find out what is inside, apart from a Pub Quiz which I notice is on Sundays.
UPDATE:Thanks to the Landlord commenting here is the story of the Bridge Inn:
"There are 6 fire places throughout the building, I think two more have been covered up in two of the bedrooms.The original Bridge Inn was one hundred meters up the road where a hump back bridge once crossed the canal, but was lost when the bridge was replaced with a bridge that trams could cross,that is the reason the pub was built when it was. I think the original pub was built a 50 or 60 years earlier".
Well that has certainly satisfied by historical curiosity and next time I am down in Chester I will have to satisfy my liquid curiosity and call in. The outside is to be painted in the spring so I suspect there is also another photo opportunity with canal to be taken.
An entry to ABC Wednesday, a journey from A to Z now at the beginning of Round 10
