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The Old Station Yard, Station Road, Hadnall, SY4 3DD
A Belgravia-mews Grade II listed pub dating from 1848 and last refurbished in 2008 in shabby-chic style, the Star is a traditional pub that has kept its cosy wood panelling and a real fire. Another fine feature is the Thomas Crapper wash basins.
As well as a good choice of cask ales, normally four to five, there is a wide selection of single malt and other whiskies on offer as well as an attractive food menu.
So far the Star has been listed in every edition of the Good Beer Guide and in September 2017 was awarded a special 45-year certificate by the then Good Beer Guide editor, Roger Protz. It was also CAMRA West London's Pub of the Year 2017 and some of the photos show the night of that certificate presentation.
Winner of a CAMRA Golden Award in 2021; our photo shows CAMRA RD Geoff Strawbridge, pub manager Ema Harker, and Fuller's Retail Director Fred Turner.
Historic Interest
Grade II listed, Historic England ref 1357183. Folklore has it that the 1963 Great Train Robbery was planned here, with Bruce Reynolds, Buster Edwards and Ronnie Biggs meeting up regularly in the days leading up to the 'blag'. It's also said to have been one of John Profumo's favoured haunts for discreet assignations with Christine Keeler. Other assorted high-life 'stars' were said to include Elizabeth Taylor and Bing Crosby, and that both Peter O’Toole and Princess Margaret would occasionally stop in for a 'snifter'.
One star - A pub interior of special national historic interest
Listed status: II
An early to mid 19th century pub with some interesting Victorian features.
The small room on the right contains a square servery with an old, probably Victorian, bar counter with attractive brackets and what looks like handles to open panels in the front, possibly originally for drinks deliveries to the cellar, or for servicing beer engines. The Victorian bar-back has mirrored panels and the wording “Family Wine And” and “Spirit Stores.” in panels to the left and right of an old clock. The presence of two front doors here suggests the right-hand one originally led to an off sales; there is a good set of colourful window screens and a good ‘The Star’ etched and frosted front window. On the rear right behind the servery is a doorway (which has been widened) in a partition that reaches the ceiling and has the figure ‘1’ on it. This tiny room has some old dado panelling and the dumb waiter in the corner looks like a later addition.
A wide arch on the left that appears to have been there for many years leads to what was two small rooms joined together many years ago. There is an old fireplace in the front part and a plaster cornice indicating this was probably a public room originally. Another wide arch leads to a small room at the rear with a skylight and a wood surround fireplace in what looks like originally a domestic room.
Beyond the servery are stairs to the first floor bar, now known as The Library. The bar counter here looks inter-war, but the bar-back appears to be more modern; there is a marble fireplace with a 1930s brick interior and two good ceiling roses.
An early to mid 19th century three-storey pub of brick. The small room on the right contains a square servery with an old bar counter with brackets and what looks like handles to open them i.e. a variation on the ‘cupboards in bar counters’. The bar back has mirrored panels and the wording “Family Wine And” and “Spirits Stores” in panels above left and right of an old clock. The presence of two front doors here suggests the right-hand one originally led to an off sales, there is a good set of colourful window screens and a good ‘The Star’ etched and frosted front window. On the rear right is a doorway (which has been widened) in a partition that reaches the ceiling and has the figure ‘1’ on it. This tiny room has some old dado panelling and the dumb waiter in the corner looks like a later addition.
Through a wide arch on the left that appears to have been there for many years to what was two small rooms joined together many years ago. The bench seating is old, there is an old fireplace in the front part and a plaster cornice indicating this was probably a public room originally. There is another wide arch to a small room at the rear with a skylight and a wood surround fireplace in what looks like it was originally a domestic room.
There are two metal grille gates in the rear centre of the pub beyond which are doors leading to a hallway and the stairs to the first floor bar. Here the bar counter might be inter-war, the bar back appears to be more modern, there is a marble fireplace with 1930s brick interior and two good ceiling roses.
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This Pub serves 2 changing beers and 2 regular beers.
Star Tavern, London
Changing beers typically include: Butcombe (varies) , Dark Star - Hophead , Wimbledon (varies)
Source: National
Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals
Family Friendly
Dog Friendly
Function Room
Games
Newspapers
Real Fire
Smoking
Wi Fi
Real Ale
Real Heritage Pub
Member Discount Scheme
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