The Story of The Bear: 300 Years of History

# The Story of The Bear Every pub has stories. The Bear has 300 years of them. ## 1720: The Beginning When The Bear first opened its doors in 1720, Wincanton was a busy stop on the coaching route between London and Exeter. Weary travellers would stop here to rest, water their horses, and fortify themselves with ale and a hot meal before continuing their journey. ## The Market Square Our position overlooking the Market Square isn't an accident. Markets have been held here since 1235 – that's nearly 800 years of people gathering, trading, and (we like to think) nipping into the pub afterwards. ## The Civil War Connection Local legend has it that Royalist soldiers fleeing the Battle of Langport in 1645 took refuge in The Bear's cellar. Some say there was even a secret tunnel to the church. We've never found it, but we haven't stopped looking. ## Today In 2024, we began our own chapter in The Bear's story. We've restored, refreshed, and reinvigorated – but we've kept the soul. The beams are still oak, the welcome is still warm, and the bar is still the heart of everything we do. *Here's to the next 300 years.*