Great work by The Greenhouse in Llantarnam. They’ve done a brilliant job of renovating and restoring the front porch and carved stone sign above the entrance.
The sign shows two people sitting at a candlelit table, one drinking cider and the other drinking beer.
The Grade II listed building opened as a pub in around 1719- but the building itself is believed to be over 400 years old. Online info about the pub says it’s listed as an “early 18th century inn with [a] remarkable surviving carved plaque on [the] porch.”
Cwmbran Historical Society
The team at the pub worked with Cwmbran Historical Society to make sure the work was in keeping with the pub’s original look.
Marston’s, the pub’s owners, kindly shared some photos with Cwmbran Life, showing the new work and a photo they believe is from the 1920s.
The brewery said the site has historic links to Llantarnam Abbey. When it opened as a pub, it was known for serving travellers moving between Newport and Pontypool and the old industrial communities across the area.
And what about the old text in Welsh on the plaque? Marston’s said they believe it says: “The Green House, Good beer. And cider for you. Come inside. You can taste it for yourselves.”
Next time you visit the pub, make sure you pause and look up at this important part of local history before you walk in.