The Glue Pot pub in Swindon is chance to step back in time

You won’t find TV screens or mobile apps in The Glue Pot on Emlyn Square, but the small pub with big character offers the warm friendliness of a traditional coaching inn from the moment you step through the doors.

It is named after the glue pots that nearby coachbuilders would bring into the pub at lunchtime in the 1800s and place on the central stove to keep warm.

Not only is the pub’s heritage remembered in its name, but owner Mark Hepplewhite, a previous English Heritage worker, has made every effort to bring history back to life.

“It’s so important to us to maintain our history and especially the railway history,” said Mark.

“All of this woodwork is from 1987 and 1988, we still have old-fashioned glue pots scattered around the place, and the tables and benches are made to represent the old railway carriages that you would sit in so it really feels like you’ve stepped back in time.

The tables in The Glue Pot are designed as old railway carriages like something straight out of Harry Potter. (Image: Newsquest)

“The place has been owned by Hopback Brewery for the last 20 years and mostly serves real ale, but we have a great cider board too as a nod to history because this pub was a scrumpy house at one point.”

Built in 1847, the Glue Pot building was originally a drapery shop, but in the 1850s became a pub known as London Stout House. It was renamed to The Glue Pot shortly after the First World War.

From speaking to staff who are a friendly face to all customers, it is clear how much this pub and its heritage means to them.

Drinkers in The Glue Pot are surrounded by relics of the past (Image: Newsquest)

Mark said: “I love talking about the history of the place to anyone that is willing to hear it. It’s a privilege to keep this sort of place going.

“This is one of the last few pubs in the area that is a traditional old-school boozer. We don’t have TVs showing football games or any modern tech, it’s like a little piece of the comforting past in here.

“I first came here in 1983, but I started becoming a regular in 2011 and I saw a part-time job advertised one day so I took it.

“I’m still not sure why,” he laughed.

Taking over in October 2022, Mr Hepplewhite spent eight months turning the pub into the cosy old-school haven of heritage it has become today.

“That’s what we’re trying to do really, is maintain that comforting feel," he added. "I hope that’s what people feel when they walk through the door."