Our Story
Three hundred years of history. Two slightly obsessive landlords. One proper pub.
Our Story
Three centuries of good times
The Bear has been standing in Wincanton's Market Place since 1720. That's three hundred years of pints pulled, fires lit, and stories told. Originally a coaching inn on the London to Exeter route, it's seen a lot of change – but the bones are still the same. The oak beams in our rooms? Original. The flagstone floors in the bar? Original. The slightly uneven stairs that make you feel like you've had one too many? Definitely original.
Why We Did This
We wanted a pub we'd actually want to drink in.
Somewhere warm, welcoming, a bit over-the-top, and genuinely fun. Somewhere that treats everyone like a regular, even if it's your first time through the door. We've done up the rooms, started the quiz nights, brought in live music on Fridays, and generally tried to make The Bear the kind of place people actually look forward to coming to.
The Timeline
Three centuries of pints pulled, fires lit, and stories told
The Bear Opens
Coaching inn on the London to Exeter route. Horses, ale, and probably some excellent gossip.
The Railway Arrives
Coaches become obsolete, The Bear becomes a proper local pub.
Rooms Reopened
The upstairs rooms get a refresh and start welcoming guests again.
Kev and Dom Take Over
New chapter. Same character. A lot more quiz nights.
Meet the Team
behind the bar
The people who make The Bear what it is.
Kev
Landlord & Owner
The front-of-house half of the operation. Kev's the one who'll remember your name, your usual, and that thing you mentioned three visits ago. He's got years of hospitality behind him and a genuine belief that pubs should feel like home – just with better food and someone else doing the washing up.
Dom
Owner & Front of House
Dom handles most things front of house and always with a smile. Together with Kev, he's turned The Bear into the kind of place they always wanted to drink in: warm, welcoming, a bit over-the-top, and genuinely fun.
The Bar Team
Hospitality
Ready to pour your perfect pint and make you feel at home.
What We Care About
Real Hospitality
We remember your name, ask specific questions, and actually care how your night's going. None of that "is everything okay?" nonsense.
Effort, Not Ego
We go over the top so you feel looked after – not so we can show off. The drama is for fun, not for Instagram.
Everyone Welcome
We mean it. This is a safe, friendly place where everyone gets treated equally. Clear standards, no exceptions.
Ready to meet us?
Pop In and Say Hello
The best way to know if you'll like it here is to come and find out. Kev's usually behind the bar, the fire's usually lit, and there's always something good happening.
