PUBS have been a mainstay of Somerset communities for generations.

The ‘local’ has been a meeting point – and a place of enjoyment – for residents, musical groups, workers and business owners over centuries.

But the humble pub is facing a torrid time. A stalling economy, ever-growing taxes, rising costs and changes to social habits have all had an impact on out beloved drinking holes.

Ahead of launching a new campaign highlighting Somerset’s amazing locals, your Leveller took to the archives to find snaps of social spots from years gone by – and used AI to bring them back to life with colour.

We also took a look at the sites now to see if the pub was still open. We’ll publish new photos in each edition of your Leveller, so keep your eyes peeled for your local – lost of still going strong.

Get in touch with your memories of Somerset pubs – and any requests of any pubs for us to look into – at newsdesk@somersetleveller.co.uk.

And if you are a pub and want to get involved in a campaign to Love Your Local, email us at adverts@somersetleveller.co.uk.

See if you recognise any of these Somerset pubs from yesteryear – or if you use the buildings now!

The Turk’s Head Inn, Taunton

The Turk’s Head Inn was at 37 St James’ Street, Taunton. It was popular as The Wickets sandwich bar for many years, before being renamed Blue Cactus in 2025.

The original photograph as with all the old photographs here – is believed to have been taken in 1959 or 1960 by the Charrington Brewery. We have used AI to colourise the original black-and-white images.

The Rising Sun, near Langport

The Rising Sun was a landmark pub on the main road through Thorney, between Kingsbury Episcopi and Huish Episcopi.
Records indicate it was run by James Dimmock from around 1850 until his death in 1870, after which his wife Sarah took over. As the photograph shows, the building is now a private home.

The Railway Hotel, Glastonbury

The Railway Hotel, in Benedict Street, Glastonbury, was at some point renamed (probably due to the distinct lack of railway in the town post-Beeching) to The King Arthur, which remains a popular drinking spot and music venue to this day.

In fact, aside from the name, very little seems to have changed at all since the original photograph was taken, around 1959/60!

The Ring of Bells, Ashcott

The Ring of Bells, in Ashcott, between Bridgwater and Street, was a skittles hotspot for many years.

However, it closed a few years ago and fell into disrepair, and went under the hammer in December 2025 in a pretty poor state.

The frontage remained pretty-much unchanged from the original photo, taken around 1960, apart from a rebuilt fundtion room and skittle alley – and some more modern cars outside!

Let’s hope it comes back into use soon.

The Picketty Witch

Finding out the Picketty Witch derived its name from an olde way of saying ‘triangular piece of land’ and the Wych Elm tree removes some of the mystique around this former pub, in Ilchester Road, Yeovil.

It opened in 1936, under Reginald Spearing, and lasted until 2012, when Tesco Express moved in – and the building remains much the same as it was…

READ MORE: History news from your Somerset Leveller