Introduction

The Pubs

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Do you know which of your local pubs are Listed Buildings?

How to find out if a pub is listed

If you want to check if a pub is a listed building and inspect the listed description e.g. to see if there is any mention of the interior features, you can use various online search facilities and we explain how to do this below.

England

Use 'Heritage Gateway', using the 'Where' option and click on 'Search' (do not use your 'Return' key). If you know the LBS number - use 'Resources' and enter the number in 'Reference Number' box. CAMRA members can find the LBS number on the 'Pubs Listed Status' in the Members section of the Heritage Pub website.

However, for some counties such as Herefordshire, and pubs in the former Avon county it can be difficult to find Listing Records on 'Heritage Gateway' and an alternative is to use English Heritage Listed Buildings Online.

You used to be able to use the 'Images of England' website which includes an exterior photo but nowadays you have to register to use the advanced search (needed as the basic search rarely works!).

Scotland

Use the Historic Scotland Historic Building Search website.

Wales

Cadw have not added listing records to their website yet so you have to write to Cadw, Welsh Assembly Government, Plas Carew, Unit 5/7 Cefn Coed, Parc Nantgarw, Cardiff, CF15 7QQ or email Cadw for the information.

Northern Ireland

Use the Northern Ireland Environment Agency Buildings Database Search but it is not that 'user-friendly'. CAMRA members can find the HB number on the 'Pubs Listed Status' in the Members section of the Heritage Pub website and use that option, which does work.

How to find out who owns a pub

If you do not know the owner of a pub in England & Wales* (because the pub is closed, or a licensee does not know or doesn’t want to tell you) then since The Land Registry Act 2002 took effect from 13th October 2003, anyone can search the Property Register for a fee of £4. Requesting a ‘title register’ gives information such as who owns the property; may indicate if there is a mortgage on the property; any rights of way or restrictions on the land noted on the register; also if sold since April 2000 the price paid/value stated information. You can obtain a ‘title plan’ for a further £4.

Please note the Land Registry holds records for all properties where there has been a sale/purchase in the past 30 or so years i.e. since it was set up. Ownership of properties with no change of ownership in the past 30 + years can only be established from the title deeds.

How to Obtain A Copy of the Title Register Online

  • Go to the Land Registry Online.
  • Click on ‘Detailed Enquiry’ if you have the full address and click on ‘search’.
  • If a Registered Number to match the address is found it will advise you that a copy of the ‘Title Register’ is available as a PDF file for a fee of £4.00 - press ‘Purchase’
  • A “Terms and Conditions of Access” will appear – press Accept
  • Pay £4.00 by credit card.

It is also possible to carry out a search by Post (you will need a Form ‘OC1’, which can be downloaded from www.landregistry.gov.uk) or by Personal Visit to the local Land Registry Office.

* Here is information on searching the land and property registers in Scotland.
The Private Bar of the Windsor Castle, Kensington, London W8 which was listed at Grade II as a result of an application by CAMRA's Pub Heritage Group
The vaults at the Garden Gate, Hunslet, Leeds which recently had its listed grade raised from II to II* due to its stunning Victorian interior and as a result of an application by CAMRA's Pub Heritage Group