The Duke of Wellington pub in October 1977(Image: Media Wales)

The curious stories behind how Cardiff's most famous pubs got their names

The Welsh capital is home to some historic pubs, with many of them having served pints for centuries, but how did they get their names?

05 Oct 2024, 04:00 by Taite Johnson · Wales Online

As a city steeped in history, Cardiff is home to countless pubs. that have stood the test of time. You don't have to venture far to stumble upon an ancient watering hole that came before Cardiff was even a city.

Having served pints for decades, and in some cases centuries, these pubs are deeply rooted in the city's fabric. However, with their long-standing existence it is often forgotten how they got their names.

With some named after historical figures or nearby ironworks, from The Three Elms to The Old Arcade, here's a look at how some of Cardiff's most iconic pubs got their names:

The Old Arcade

(Image: Walesonline)

This building can be traced back on Cardiff maps as early as 1610 but is believed to be built in 1884. Nowadays, it's a bustling hub for sports fans, particularly on match days.

Originally it was known as The Birdcage Inn, named after the landlord's hobby of crafting birdcages and selling them from behind the bar. Its current name derives from the covered walkway that has connected Church Street to the market since the 18th Century.

The City Arms

(Image: Wales Online)

This building has been open since 1610 and is a beloved institution in the city centre. While when it became a pub remains unknown, it once had the intriguing name of The Van of Flesh Tavern.

This name came about due to its location directly opposite Cardiff's slaughterhouse and cattle market at the time. In 1858, it was referred to as The Cattle Market Tavern. When Cardiff achieved city status in 1905, it was renamed The City Arms, long after the slaughterhouse had relocated to the city outskirts.

The Aneurin Bevan

The Aneurin Bevan(Image: Richard Swingler Photography)

The Aneurin Bevan pub on Caerphilly Road takes its name from a significant former politician. Aneurin Bevan is arguably one of the most renowned and influential politicians in Welsh history, particularly due to his role in establishing the NHS.

Born in Tredegar in 1897, Bevan grew up in a working-class mining town with his family. On July 5, 1948, Bevan played a pivotal role in the founding of the NHS.

Despite being diagnosed with terminal cancer, he was elected deputy leader of the Labour Party in 1959. He passed away on July 6, 1960.

The Rummer Tavern

(Image: No credit)

The well-known establishment is believed to be the city's oldest pub, having welcomed punters since the early 18th Century. The pub's name originates from a rummer, which in the olden days referred to a large glass or goblet used for drinking wine.

The Blue Bell

(Image: Blue Bell/Facebook)

Formerly known as the Goat Major, this pub's previous name was tied to its connection with the Welsh infantry regiment, the Royal Welsh, who famously have a goat as their mascot. The celebrated goat, often seen leading the way at Wales rugby internationals, is cared for by an individual known as the goat major.

Originally named The Goat in 1813, the establishment underwent a name change to The Bluebell in 1873, before adopting the title of The Goat Major in 1995. In 2021, however, it became the Blue Bell once more after it was taken over by new owners. At the time, manager Nick Newman said the team thought "long and hard" about changing it, adding: "Reverting back seemed appropriate given that we uncovered a load of the original Victorian tiles on the wall behind the bar when were doing the place up. We gave them a clean and made a feature of them." For the latest Cardiff news, sign up to our newsletter here

The Clive Arms

The Clive Arms, more commonly know as The Clive, is found in Canton, taking its name from the notable Robert Clive. Known as Clive of India, Robert Clive, 1st Baron Clive, KB, FRS, was the inaugural British Governor of the Bengal Presidency.

His role as a military leader played a large role in laying the foundation of the British East India Company (EIC) rule in Bengal. However, Clive's legacy is marred by controversy; he has been implicated in causing the deaths of an estimated one million to 10 million people in India.

Clive's tenure as governor of Bengal, which spanned from 1758-60 and again from 1764-67, drew criticism for his policies that included tax hikes, wage reductions, and a lack of action during natural disasters. It is argued by some scholars that his governance contributed to the catastrophic Bengal famine of 1770, which resulted in the deaths of millions in India.

The Golden Cross

The pub in 1992(Image: Media Wales)

For 176 years, the Golden Cross pub has been a regular for many. Today's Golden Cross bears little resemblance to the original 19th century building but stands as the sole survivor from an era when that part of the city was known as a "den of infamy". You can read more on that here.

Charlotte Street and Whitmore Lane, located nearby, were considered so bad they were completely removed from maps in the late 1800s. The precise origins of the pub's name are somewhat mysterious, but Cardiff historian Anthony Rhys, suggests: "It was on the crossroads of Bute Street and Whitmore Lane so that possibly influenced it, maybe the gaslights gave it a glow!".

The Eli Jenkins

Another pub named after a notable person of the past is The Eli Jenkins, once a house nestled in Bute Crescent at Cardiff Bay. This establishment differs from others mentioned here as it is named after a character of fiction, Reverend Eli Jenkins.

Reverend Eli Jenkins emerges from the pages of Dylan Thomas' celebrated play Under Milk Wood. In this literary work, Rev Jenkins is depicted as a reverend, poet, and preacher who harbours dreams of "Eisteddfodau".

The Ivor Davies

The Ivor Davies(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)

The Ivor Davies, on Cowbridge Road East, takes its name from the birth name of renowned Welsh actor and composer Ivor Novello. Novello, who was one of Britain's most beloved entertainers in the first half of the 20th century, grew up on the street. A statue in Cardiff Bay also commemorates his legacy.

The Packet

(Image: WalesOnline)

Opening in the 19th Century, The Packet was established during a time when Cardiff's docks were bustling with trade. Ships from across the globe once docked at the busy port, bringing goods and people who often settled in the city, transforming it into their new home.

Though the docks have changed beyond recognition, The Packet remains one of the few surviving institutions from that time. Named after the packet ships that ferried mail to British outposts, The Packet has been an integral part of the docks' narrative since 1864. There's a local legend that if a sailor found themselves in the pub when the tide is out, they were entitled to free lodging for the night.

The Owain Glyndwr

Located on St John Street in the city centre, the Owain Glyndwr is a JD Wetherspoon pub named after the last native-born Welshman to hold the title of Prince of Wales. Born into nobility in 1354, Owain Glyndwr was a descendant of several Royal Welsh dynasties.

Glyndwr served as a soldier and military commander, leading a 15-year revolt against English rule in Wales during the late middle ages. After a dispute with an English lord over Welsh land, Glyndwr claimed the title of Prince of Wales in 1400, sparking a revolt that lasted until 1415.

Following numerous victories against the English, he was officially crowned. It is believed that Glyndwr went into hiding towards the end of the revolt, with his death announced by a supporter in 1415.

The Three Elms

(Image: WalesOnline)

The Three Elms owes its name to the elm trees that once flourished nearby when the pub first opened its doors in the early 19th Century. The pub is situated at the western end of Whitchurch Common on Merthyr Road, which was once the main turnpike road from Cardiff to Merthyr Tydfil.

The Andrew Buchan

The Andrew Buchan(Image: Richard Swingler Photography)

Situated at the junction of Albany Road and Arabella Street in Roath, The Andrew Buchan pub is named after the Scottish founder of the original Rhymney Brewery.

Rhymney Breweries Ltd was the largest brewery business in south Wales during the 1960s and managed by Buchan since its inception in 1839. Little is known about the prolific brewery founder but he is said to have been a loving and caring man.

Pen and Wig

Originally an ophthalmologist's office, someone who deals with eye problems, this building was converted into a pub in 1994. Located not far from Cardiff Crown Court, the pub got its name from the large number of legal practices in the area.

The Ernest Willows

The Ernest Willows on City Road takes its name from the first person in the UK to earn a pilot certificate for an airship. Ernest Thompson Willows, a trailblazer, aviator, and airship builder hailing from Cardiff, has not only a pub but also a school named in his honour.

Willows High School in Cardiff, built on his former airfield, serves as a tribute to the pilot. He went on to build several other airships, including one named the City of Cardiff, which made history as the first nocturnal airship crossing of the English Channel and the first journey from England to France.

During World War I, Willows manufactured barrage balloons in Cardiff for military use. Even after the war, he continued to create and fly balloons. Tragically, on August 3, 1926, Willows and four other passengers lost their lives in a balloon accident.

The Vulcan

(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)

Built in 1853 on Adam Street in Cardiff, The Vulcan served the predominantly Irish community of what was then known as New Town. The pub closed in 2012 and was meticulously dismantled, and has been reconstructed at St Fagan's National Museum. Its name refers to the nearby Iron Works and the Roman god of fire and metalworking.

The Admiral Napier

The Admiral Napier, or simply The Admiral, is located on the corner of Cowbridge Road in Canton. It is named after Admiral Sir Charles John Napier, a British naval officer who dedicated 60 years of his life to the Royal Navy.

Throughout his tenure with the Royal Navy, Napier served in several significant wars, including the War of 1812, the Napoleonic Wars, the Syrian War, and the Crimean War. He also commanded the Portuguese Navy for a time.

In December 1840, Napier was knighted in honour of his distinguished services during the Syrian War. In 1841, he took up the mantle of a Liberal MP, championing improved working conditions for naval workers and bolstering the strength of the naval forces. The admiral held his parliamentary seat until his demise in 1860.

The Duke of Wellington

One of Cardiff's oldest pubs, The Duke of Wellington, is located in one of the city's most central locations. This distinctive three-storey building opened in 1892 and is named in honour of the 40th anniversary of the Duke of Wellington's death in 1852.

As well as being a military hero, the duke had a successful career in politics and even served as Prime Minister from 1828 to 1830 and again in 1834. On September 14, 1852, Wellesley died of a stroke and was laid to rest in St Paul's Cathedral.

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