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Bury St Edmunds Nutshell
Bury St Edmunds Nutshell
South West, 52.24482,0.71262
Cask Ale is sold here.
17 The Traverse, IP33 1BJ
grid reference TL 852 642
opened 1873
owner/operator: Greene King
One of the claimants to the title "England's smallest pub", with an interior measuring only fifteen by seven feet and is listed by the Guinness Book of Records. Main drinking area is crowded if more than six people are in bar at any time. The record for the number of people crammed into the pub is said to be 102 (plus a dog called Blob). Contains various curios including a mummified cat & old halberd. Function room upstairs. The building dates from the mid-19th century.
Reputedly this was just a small house next to a pawnbroker's, but the pawnbroker noticed that a lot of his customers were alcoholics pawning their property to buy booze, so he saw a business opportunity in opening a pub next door.
It contains various curios including a mummified cat and old halberd. There is a function room upstairs.
The building dates from the mid-19th century.
Facilities
Beer served through handpumps
Bus stop nearby (see transport links for details)
Pub sells beer from local brewers
Quiet pub - no electronic games, piped music or jukebox
Separate bar
Railway station about 0.7 miles away (see transport links for details)
Gallery
Nearest railway station
Historical interest
Owner/operator: Greene King
Delightful market place curiosity said to have been originally licensed by Charles II and listed by the Guinness Gook of Records as the smallest pub in England. Look out for the mummified cat.
Beer: Greene King IPA, Abbot.CAMRA's 1997 Suffolk Real Ale Guide
In 1820s this was a fruitier's shop. Later it was converted into a tiny bar.
In 1891 census it was listed as Nutshell Museum & Bar.
Listed at 29 Meat Market prior to 1891, and became 17 The Traverse by the 1891 census.
Also listed in 1891 listed at 4 The Traverse.
In 1937 the pub was listed in Kelly's Directory as one of 220 pubs that were retailing beer that they were brewing.
Landlords
Footnote
In March 1984 101 people plus a dog managed to cram into this tiny bar - it was reported that "the breed of dog was slightly uncertain before the event and a total mystery afterwards".
(Most pub, location & historic details collated by Nigel, Tony or Keith - original sources are credited)
