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Open Hearth, Sebastopol

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This much favoured pub sits alongside the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal. It is run by an enthusiastic young team and attracts passing trade from walkers, cyclists and barge-going folk as well as being frequented by its band of loyal regulars. The small intimate bar is where the real ale handpumps are arrayed, dispensing ales from a range of national and regional brewers. A cosy snug is accessed from the bar while the lounge doubles as a dining room. Outside there are extensive grounds with a children’s play area plus a decked area alongside the canal towpath. The menu is comprehensive offering a wide range of dishes including substantial breakfasts (9-11.45am), Starters, Vegetarian, Little Italy, Burgers & Dogs, From the Grill, Pie Corner, Fish, Favourites, Baguettes, Jackets, Children's, Desserts, plus Weekly Specials, using locally sourced ingredients. The pub's historical links with the canal has recently (Aug 2021) seen the revival of the Boater's Signing In Book for water borne visitors.

Historic Interest

The pub’s origins go back to the late 17th century when it was a cowman’s cottage, the present site of the main bar. It later served as a wash house and earned the nickname “the clout”. The building started to take its present shape nearly 200 years ago when it was acquired by the Great Western Railway. The building was enlarged and traded as the Railway Hotel. It later passed into the ownership of Phillips Brewery of Newport. Phillips was taken over by Simonds in 1949 which in turn was swallowed up by Courage Brewery in 1960. Courage changed the name after a competition was won by a local steelworker who named it the Open Hearth. By the mid 1970's the place had become run down and was on the brink of closure when it was rescued by Glyn & Marge Morgan in January 1977. The bar was extended, a new toilet block built, and the downstairs living quarters converted into a restaurant or function room. The kitchen and function room have been further extended since under the stewardship of the late Gwyn Phillips. It has had many appearances in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide, and has won the Gwent CAMRA Pub of the Year award in 1989, 1995, 1999.

Information for this venue is provided by the Gwent Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Railway Hotel
Local Authority
Torfaen - Torfaen
Last updated
30/01/2023
Last surveyed
28/05/2021
Pub ID
NEW/235
Asset of Community Value
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Opening
Food
Monday
9:00am - 10:00pm
9:00am - 11:45am & Noon - 8:45pm
Tuesday
9:00am - 10:00pm
9:00am - 11:45am & Noon - 8:45pm
Wednesday
9:00am - 10:00pm
9:00am - 11:45am & Noon - 8:45pm
Thursday
9:00am - 10:00pm
9:00am - 11:45am & Noon - 8:45pm
Friday
9:00am - 10:00pm
9:00am - 11:45am & Noon - 8:45pm
Saturday
9:00am - 10:00pm
9:00am - 11:45am & Noon - 8:45pm
Sunday
9:00am - 10:00pm
9:00am - 11:45am & Noon - 8:45pm
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Current beers

This Pub serves 2 changing beers and 2 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen

Open Hearth, Sebastopol

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Changing

Changing beers typically include: Butcombe (varies) , Dartmoor - Jail Ale , Sharp's (varies)

Source: National

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Facilities
Sports TV Sports TV
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals Evening Meals
Live Music Live Music
Thu 8pm acoustic jam session
Garden Garden
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Parking Parking
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
Function Room Function Room
60 seated, up to 150 standing
Games Games
Newspapers Newspapers
Separate Bar Separate Bar
Smoking Smoking
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Features
Real Ale Real Ale
Cask Marque Cask Marque
Transport
Close to bus routes (350m)
Stagecoach: X3; X24/24, 21
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