7 Welwyn Hatfield pubs that shut their doors in the last 10 years

In the last 10 years, and since COVID-19, pubs across the borough have closed and some have even converted into housing, restaurants and more. 

We've compiled a list of some of the most beloved pubs that have closed in the area, that we wish we could revisit one last time to have that timeless drink.  

1. Long Arm Short Arm pub 

Long Arm Short Arm pub in Lemsford. (Image: Google Maps)

Long Arm Short Arm pub, located in Lemsford, shut its doors on Friday, March 10.

The McMullen & Sons-run pub announced its closure on Facebook, citing the economic climate as the reason behind it. 

The pub was sold through an agent, and it will be registered soon after sale and details will then be available.

2. The Green Man Public House

Green Man pub in Mill Green. (Image: Google Maps)

The Green Man Public House closed in 2011.

It was a Grade II-listed public house in Mill Green Lane, Hatfield. The building was based on a 17th century timber frame with later additions. 

During a three-day public meeting held in 2011, the community expressed a strong desire to see The Green Man public house reopen. 

As a result, it has now been renovated.

The new Mill Green sign is unveiled on the green outside the new Jarvis Homes development in Mill Green Lane. (Image: Richard Washbrooke Photography. Supplied by Gascoyne Estates)

As part of the restoration of the Grade II-listed building, additional dining space has been added to the property, a new kitchen and landscaped grounds.

Gascoyne Estates said they do not as yet have an open date for the pub.

The construction of nine new houses at Mill Green, close to the pub, is also nearing completion. 

3. The Cat & Fiddle  

The Cat & Fiddle pub before it was demolished. (Image: Google Maps)

The Cat & Fiddle pub was situated at 199 St Albans Road West in Hatfield. 

The pub was 190 years old and was demolished in 2013.

The Cat and Fiddle pub on St Albans Road West being demolished (Image: Archant) (Image: Archant)

The Cat & Fiddle was sold the year before for a reported £380,000, and planning permission was given to demolish it and build flats on the site.

The pub finally closed in August 2012. 

There are now multiple flats and houses on this piece of land. 

What 199 St Albans West, Hatfield looks like now. (Image: Google Maps)

4. Parkway Bar

The Parkway Bar which doubled as The Cross Hands in the Simon Pegg movie The World's End. (Image: Google Maps) (Image: Archant)

Parkway Bar was located on Parkway, Welwyn Garden City.

It was the fourth of 12 pub locations in the movie, The World's End.

In the Simon Pegg movie it was known as 'The Cross Hands'.

It closed its doors at the end of 2017, making way for a new restaurant. 

Parkway Bar changed to The Cross Hands for the filming of The World's End (Image: Alan Davies)

Misya Meze & Grill is Welwyn Garden City. (Image: Google Maps)

Now, it is the location for the popular Mediterranean restaurant, Misya Meze & Grill.

5. Hope and Anchor

Hope and Anchor pub that closed its doors. (Image: Google Maps) (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2017)

Hope and Anchor was located in Welham Green.

It was a Grade II-listed public house based on a 17th-century timber frame.

The Hope and Anchor dates back to 1838 when, according to records, it was operating as a pub.

But the pub fell on hard times, receiving a host of noise complaints in mid-2020 and accusations that there had been a breach of their licence conditions, before closing in June 2022.

Plans for the redevelopment of the Hope and Anchor. (Image: Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council) (Image: Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council)

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council approved SRC Developments Limited’s plans to turn the former pub into three dwellings and build a further six homes on the site.

The converted pub with its 17th-century timber frame will be made to match neighbouring 20th century buildings.

6. The Green Man

The Green Man in Potters Bar. (Image: Linea Homes) (Image: Archant)

The Green Man was located in High Street, Potters Bar. 

It was a disused public house and a Grade II-listed building with Historic England.

The Green Man pub, Potters Bar. (Image: DANNY LOO) (Image: ©2019 Archant)

Built in the mid 17th century, the pub was subsequently remodelled and extended.

This pub permanently closed in October 2014.

Oak Potters Bar apartments replaced The Green Man. (Image: Google Maps)

In 2021, the rear of the former pub site was developed to provide flats for shared ownership, along with a ground-floor commercial unit.

Oak development by Settle group provides one and two-bedroom properties for shared ownership and rent.

Scaffolding is still up around the pub itself.

7. The Beehive

The Beehive was a grade II listed public house. (Image: Google Maps)

Located in Beehive Lane, Welwyn Garden City, The Beehive was a Grade II-listed public house.

The building dates from around the early 17th century.

It once served as a village store and later as a Beefeater steak house.

The Beehive pub closed its doors in 2016, much to the dismay of regulars. 

The pub was renovated and opened as Cooper's Grill Steak House up until its closure in 2020.

In January 2023, Osprey Charging Network put in a planning application to erect eight rapid electric vehicle charging points, an electrical substation, two power modules and associated electrical feeder pillar, in the car park of the Beehive Public House and retrospective planning permission for a metal hoop top fence to bisect the car park.

This has yet to be granted.