ONE thing you’ll take away from a visit to the New Inn in the Cornish village of Tywardreath is that it’s got plenty of history.

Despite being called the New Inn, it dates back to the 17th century and it features many reminders of the past.

Alongside the old stuff, the pub has another claim to fame – it once hosted a gig by pop star Sam Fender before he was famous.

The pub, which has been named among The Telegraph’s best pubs in the UK for two years running, is managed by brothers Christian and Stephen Hanks who also have the Lugger Inn at Fowey, a few miles away.

From the unusually low bar built with miners in mind, to the faded photographs on the walls and the giant Cornish flag hanging across an entire wall, stepping inside the New Inn feels a little like walking into a mini-museum. Tywardreath was once a mining area and miners would head to the pub after working underground, with the low bar making it easier for them to lean against after hours spent crouched down.

The bar at the New Inn at Tywardreath is lower than conventional bars.
The bar at the New Inn at Tywardreath is lower than conventional bars.

Embedded in the wood of the bar are two brass slots, remnants of a time when miners were paid with tokens that could be exchanged for food and drink.

There are photographs showing Tywardreath in years gone by, including one of a butcher standing outside the pub with his horse and cart.

Christian said: “People come in and discover something they weren’t expecting. You’ve always got people noticing something new. There are hundreds of years of history in this building, from the walls themselves to the old beer bottles lining the ceiling shelves.”

The enormous Cornish flag that dominates one wall was found and embroidered by Christian and Stephen’s sister before being given pride of place inside the pub.

While history gives the New Inn its character, music has helped shape its more recent story. Tucked just off the main bar is a room that serves as both a dining space and live music venue, hosting regular gigs. Over time it has welcomed countless musicians, including Sam Fender who has gone on to become one of Britain's biggest pop stars.

Looking from the bar at the New Inn through to a sitting area.
Looking from the bar at the New Inn through to a sitting area.

Outside, the pub has gardens that host summer events, live music and community gatherings. Recently, the pub held a fire walk, with participants walking barefoot across hot coals.

Christian, who grew up in Fowey with his family, started out washing pots in a local pub when he was 14 years old. Though he later earned a degree in mining engineering, life eventually led him back behind the bar.

Christian, who returned home to Cornwall after spending time working in hospitality in London, said: “People sometimes think hospitality is a temporary job, but it’s a career. I’ve spent most of my working life in pubs and I’ve never really looked back.”

The New Inn and the Lugger Inn, both owned by St Austell Brewery, which has its headquarters in St Austell, provide local jobs, employing more than 30 people between them.