Image by: Tom Wren SWNS
These pictures show Britain’s smallest pub – run by a 98-year-old from her front room who only serves one type of beer.
Mary Wright runs The Luppitt Inn and sits at a makeshift bar dishing out glasses of booze.
The pensioner only opens up three nights a week, from Thursday to Saturday, from 7.30pm.
There is no music or entertainment, and the toilets are located across the yard, but that hasn’t stopped the pub in Honiton, Devon, making it a firm favourite with ale lovers.
Mary’s pub has been featured in the real ale drinker’s bible published by the Campaign for Real Ale, and the National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors.
The inn, previously known as the Red Lion Inn, was opened by Charles Wright, the grandfather of Mary’s late husband Albert.
Albert ran it with Mary, who he had one child with, until his death in 1989 at the age of 73.
Since then Mary has run it alone, and despite being in exceptional health for age, her granddaughter Caroline and her husband Philip now help keep it open.
Mary said: “I was born on a farm on the other side of the village but I can’t remember if I came to the pub much before I married when I was about 22, and I’ve lived here since.
“I’ve enjoyed being a landlady, but I can’t tell you many stories because my memory isn’t so good these days.
“Caroline and Philip now open the pub for me. They don’t expect me to because I am in my nineties!
“I’ve always joined in with things and customers still come and see me where I’m sat so we still have our chats. Pubs can bring communities together.”
Image by: Tom Wren SWNS
Image by: Tom Wren SWNS
Image by: Tom Wren SWNS
Inside the pub there is a fireplace, dartboard and a mix-match of small tables and chairs.
There are few seats to choose from, and an even limited choice of drinks. Its one and only beer is locally brewed Otter Bitter.
Cider lovers are also catered as Mary has a collection of unchilled Thatcher cans behind the bar, and also on offer is a limited selection of spirits, mixers and wine.
It’s cash only and there is no till.
Surrounding the bar is simple wooden shelves and the walls have a few decorations, including pictures of a beauty queen, and even a signed photo of Tina Turner.
Mary continued: “I don’t mind anybody coming in here.
“Years ago it was busy a lot of the time, especially weekends, but it’s not now. It has definitely gone quieter.
“Nowadays you probably get around half a dozen people during the evening.”
Image by: Tom Wren SWNS
Image by: Tom Wren SWNS
