Ring O'Bells
This isn't your average pub; it's a very local, proper old-style boozer. It has that genuine, lived-in feel that only comes from years of history and community. The pub’s charm extends to its fantastic beer garden. It's the kind of place where you can sit and daydream, especially with its fascinating past as a butcher shop. Just sitting there, you can't help but imagine the scenes from a century ago, a real throwback to a simpler time.
Of course, the heart of any great pub is its service and selection. With an excellent selection on tap and a friendly bar lady, you're guaranteed a warm welcome and a perfect pint. This combination of rich history, relaxing atmosphere, and great hospitality makes it a good place to unwind.
P&P
Background....
Ancient Origins and Early Use:
The site where the Ring O' Bells stands is believed to have hosted an inn or alehouse since at least the 16th century, and some sources even suggest as early as 1177. This earlier establishment may have provided shelter for pilgrims visiting an old Christian shrine in the vicinity. For much of its history, it functioned as an alehouse tied to the church, with records showing it supplied ale to the church well into the 19th century. The name "Ring O' Bells" likely derives from its proximity to St. Michael's Church and the sound of its bells, perhaps even frequented by the church's bell ringers.
Architectural Evolution and Fires:
While parts of the current building likely date back to the 16th or 17th century, it has undergone significant alterations and rebuilds. It was completely rebuilt in 1861 after being destroyed by a fire in 1860. The current building appears to be an early 19th-century Tudor-style inn, with a date stone of "1810" on the outside, indicating a significant construction or renovation at that time. It has seen further extensions and refurbishments over the years.
Multiple Functions and Notable Features:
The Ring O' Bells has served a number of purposes beyond just a pub:
Stannary Court/Crowner Court: In the 16th century, the front upstairs room was used as a Stannary Court room, a legal court for the tin mining industry that was so important to Dartmoor. It also served as a Crowner Court (now known as a Coroner's Court) where inquests into sudden deaths were held.
Holding Prison: The inn also functioned as a holding prison for those being transported to the assizes (courts) at Okehampton.
Mortuary: At one time, a room at the back upstairs was used as a mortuary.
Butcher's Shop: Between 1889 and 1930, there was a butcher's shop operating from a converted barn at the rear of the inn, with animals slaughtered in the courtyard. In fact, for a period in the 1950s, the premises operated as much as a butcher's shop ("Collins Butchers") as a pub.
Ownership and Management:
The Ring O' Bells has passed through many hands, including various brewing companies like Argyle Brewery (later Birkenhead Brewery) and Whitbread. In the 1990s, it briefly changed its name to "Loch Fyne Seafood Bar & Grill" before returning to "Ring O' Bells" in 2012 under Greene King. It has been a freehouse, meaning it's not tied to a particular brewery.
Modern Day:
Today, the Ring O' Bells continues to be a popular and traditional country inn in the heart of Chagford, known for its character features, open fireplaces, and a pretty walled garden where the old butcher's barn once stood. It remains an integral part of Chagford's community and a reminder of its long and varied past.
