The Sun Inn, Leintwardine – Memorial to Flossie Lane (1914-2009)
A haven of old, thanks to Flossie Lane.
If you are cycling the Welsh Marches, your trip will be incomplete if you fail to pop in for a pint at the Sun Inn, Leintwardine.
Unique in Britain, this was for long the only surviving example of a ‘parlour inn’ where customers could truly feel at home. This was all down to licensee Flossie Lane who died in 1994, and the public spirit of Nick Davis, Gary Seymour, and the local community, who were determined that Flossie’s spirit would live on after her passing.
Cyclists welcome and CTC Approved
You’ll find that cyclists, walkers, and dogs are particularly welcome – The writer well recalls in the 1970s when he chanced upon a couple of Hereford Cycling Club tandemists who introduced him to Flossie and her home from home. She was very choosey who she permit to enter. Some locals were banned. But she had a warm welcome for walkers, cyclists and anyone who loved and appreciated the countryside.
At that time customers drew their own ale from the the barrel and paid directly into a dish The photo below is a memory of the occasion I visited.
Little did we realise Flossie (pictured) would still around for a further quarter of a century and more.
The secret of her longevity? Not to drink the drink of the Gods – she was teetotal!
More of Flossie
Read more about Flossie in this Telegraph obituary http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/5580597/Flossie-Lane.html
And listen to what Jeremy Paxman had to say in this BBC podcast when he visited in July 2009 http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00lcksz
For further details, visit the website of this CTC approved hostelry http://www.suninn-leintwardine.co.uk/
Parlour Inns. Extremely rare (Historic England)
Stop Press November 2020:–
With fears that many public houses will be unable to survive Covid, it is reassuring to see this Tripadvisor.
Spotlessly clean and a warm welcome with fine ales.
Called in for a lunchtime pint with our sandwiches yesterday while passing, little knowing it was an historic pub I had wanted to visit for a long time.
Despite sitting in the garden under cover in heavy rain – our choice – we enjoyed it immensely.
Notably this was the first pub I had been to in six months due to that Virus, and the experience felt reassuringly safe.
The safety protocols were clear and the place was spotlessly clean. Staff were so friendly and welcoming.
Thanks for helping to restore our confidence in going out! Look forward to calling again if in the area.