The Six Bells seen from Church Street
The Six Bells Pub stands on the site of a farmhouse built in 1670, ten years after the restoration of Charles II. In 1750 the farmhouse extended and became The Six Bells Pub that we all know and love today. The name is in reference to the six bells of St John the Baptist Church which stands on the opposite side of Kerry lane. The conversion of the farmhouse into an inn was probably to take advantage of the Drovers driving their sheep from the welsh hills (Offa’s Dyke is short walk away) on to London. The Pub was able to offer lodgings for the night and a secure paddock for the livestock to be kept overnight, safe from predators and thieves.
Bishops Castle at the time was one of the famous rotten boroughs and it is easy to imagine corrupt prospective MP’s walking amongst the drinkers of the Six Bells offering bribes for votes. One such man was Clive of India who was MP for Bishops Castle soon after the Six Bells opened in the 1760’s.
Clive of India, MP for Bishops Castle
The Six Bells has been licensed continuously from 1750 to the present day and remains one of the foremost pubs in the south of Shropshire. The Paddock is now long gone and the out buildings have been converting from a stable, a motor repair shop, a joinery and an auction room. Today they are home of the Six Bells Micro Brewery which opened in 1997 however we haven’t forgotten our roots as a brilliant place for a good pint, great food and wicked conversation.
“The Six Bells is a great place to sit, relax, have a hearty meal and soak up the warm
country pub atmosphere” Shropshire Star
