A Pint of History Please

Exploring the History of Ceredigion's Pubs

Details of pub: White Horse Hotel, Aberystwyth

Other names: Varsity, Rea's
Address/Location: 48 Terrace Road / Upper Portland Street
OS Grid Ref: SN5836681842
Opened: before 1858      
Closed: open 2017       Type: Pub
Summary: This dates back to at least 1838 when Mr Edward Jones was Landlord. He had been a member 1st Royal Horse Guards and died in December 1838. Susan Jones, presumably his wife, was the licensee in 1841 and John Jones, possibly her son, hired out horses and vehicles. By 1851 it was run jointly by Mrs Jones and her son-in-law, George Tempany Smith, an auctioneer and excise officer. They had moved to the Wine vaults in Great Darkgate Street by 1864, when John Rae, from Worcester and his wife Mary Ann, from Newtown, Montgomeryshire, took over the White Horse. An advert of 1874 shows that they were selling ‘Guinness's Stout in Bottles, 4s.6d. per doz.; Allsopp's Pale Ales, in Bottles, 4s.6d. per doz.; Worthington's Pale Ale, in nine and eighteen gallon casks; Martell's Brandy, 4s.6d. per bottle; Hennessy's Old Pale Brandy, 4s.6d. per bottle. Ports and Sherries from two shillings per Bottle. Moet and Chandon's Champagne. Rhine Wines of every description. Ellis's Aerated Waters.’
By 1889, John Rea had died and his wife continued to run the hotel for many years. In 1892 she purchased the leasehold of the hotel and also that of the adjacent house in Portland Street in order to extend the hotel and incorporate a grocery shop within it.
In 1901 the property was for sale by auction because Mrs Rae wished to retire, but the reserve price was not reached. Another auction was held in 1902 but it was withdrawn when the bidding stopped at £7,500.
In 1906 Mrs Rea’s son, John Charles Rea (born about 1869) took over the licence. He had the façade rebuilt and was presumably responsible for having the fine decorative tiles and windows added. He named it ‘Rea's Restaurant and Stores’ and added a sweet and confectionery department and a cold meat counter to the grocery store. This was advertised to holiday makers as an ideal place to purchase provisions for picnics and meals which they could eat at their self-catering lodgings. In order to store all the provisions and alcoholic drinks, Rea built a new, 5 story warehouse in Corporation Street which backed on to the shop. This has recently been converted into flats. Although J. C. Rae ran the business, his mother continued to be the licensee until at least the 1930s.
By the 1950s, Mr and Mrs Tom Kinniburgh had taken over and they were succeeded by 1958 by Mr and Mrs G.C. Baker. The grocery shop was taken over by A and E Lloyd’s ‘Staffordshire Stores’ which sold glass, china and ceramics.
It was renamed the Varsity at the end of the 20th century, but the old name was reinstated in about 2015.


Notes: 1838
Mr Edward Jones, Landlord of the White Horse, Aberystwyth.
Member 1st Royal Horse Guards.
Death announced in The Cambrian (Newspaper) : 08.12.1838

1841
Jones, Susan, age 40
source Census page 7 (1841)

1844
Susan Jones
occupation: Public House
address: White Horse Terrace Road
source: Pigot and Co., 1844

1848
Jones, Susan, occupation Inn Keeper,
house no.: 46 White Horse Inn Terrace Road
source Morgan, T.O., (1848), Guide to Aberystwyth and its Environs, (1st edition) page 165
date: ..1848 1989.4.1 advert

1849
John Jones
occupation: Vehicle hire
address: 24 [old number] Terrace Road
source: Hunt and Co, 1849

1850
John Jones
occupation: Horse hirer
no number, Terrace Road
source: Slater's 1850

1851
Jones, Susan occupation Innkeeper,
house no.: Terrace Road
source Census page 156
date: ..1851 census no. 20
age 56 1795 place of birth Montgomeryshire

1858
Jones, occupation wine and spirit merchant,
house no.: White Horse Inn Terrace Road
source Morgan, T.O., (1858), New Guide to Aberystwyth and its Environs, (3rd Edition) page 192

1858
White Horse Inn, Jones and Smith proprietors, wine, spirits, Dublin Stout …
corner of Terrace Road & Portland Street, Aberystwyth,
(Morgan, T. O., New Guide to Aberystwyth and its Environs, (3rd Edition), (1858), p. 192, (advert)
[G. T. Smith was also Mrs Jones’ son-in-law and was an auctioneer]

1860
Birth: On 3 Feb., To the wife of G. T. Smith, White Horse Inn, Aberystwith, a Daughter.
The Cambrian (Newspaper) : 17.2.1860

1861
Smith, George Tempany occupation Innkeeper,
house no.: Terrace Road
age 32 1829 place of birth Cirencester
Smith, Martha Susanna,
age 32 1829 place of birth Aberystwyth
source Census page 44
date: ..1861 census no. 20

1862
"Mr. John. Davies, landlord of the White Horse Inn, was charged by P.C. Hayes with permitting singing in the house after midnight on Saturday, and fined ten shillings, which were paid" Welshman 7 Nov 1862

1864
Birth: On 14 Oct, the wife of Mr. John Rae, White Horse Inn, Aberystwith, of a daughter.
The Cambrian (Newspaper) : 28.10.1864

1871
John Rea
occupation: Public House
White Horse 48 Terrace Road
source: Post Office, 1871
1875
John Rea
occupation: Public House
White Horse 48 Terrace Road
source: Slater's 1875

[1882
Death of G. T. Smith, Born, December 1st, 1820. Died, June 11th, 1882.
Mr Smith was a native of Gloucestershire, and came to Aberystwyth in connection with his duties as excise officer between five and twenty and thirty years ago. He afterwards came to reside in the town and married Miss Drew, whose mother, Mrs Jones, kept the White Horse Hotel in Terrace Road. On the death of Mrs Jones, Mr Smith succeeded to the business … He then removed … to the Wine Vaults in Great Darkgate-street
CN 16.2.1882]
[There were people named Drew in Terrace Road in 1841 and 1851]

1864
White Horse Inn, Rea, John, inn keeper, Terrace Road, Aberystwyth, (Morgan, T.O., New Guide to Aberystwyth and its Environs, (4th edition), p. 162, (1864), advert)

1868
WHITE HORSE INN, Terrace Road, Aberystwyth. JOHN REA begs respectfully to inform his Patrons and the Public generally that he has now in stock Barton Ales, Dublin Stout, & Oldfield Perry. on draught and in bottle.
AO 22.6.1868

1869
White Horse Inn, Rea, John, Public House, Terrace Road, Aberystwyth,
(Morgan, T.O., Guide to Aberystwyth and its Environs (5th edition), p. 179, (1869), advert)

1870
There was a small fire in the White Horse Inn, John Rae, innkeeper.
CN 31.12.1870

1871
Rea, John occupation Licenced Victualler,
house no.: Terrace Road head
source Census page 65
date: ..1871 census no. 21
age 46 (born1825) place of birth Worcester

1871
Rea, Marianna,
house no.: Terrace Road wife
source Census page 65
date: ..1871 census no. 21
age 31 (born 1840) place of birth Newtown, Mont

1874
White Horse stores, Rea, John, wine and spirit merchant, Terrace Road, Aberystwyth, (Anon, Morgan's New Guide to Aberystwyth, adverts section, p. 28, (1874)

1874
Advert: JOHN REA, WINE AND SPIRIT MERCHANT, WHITE HORSE STORES, TERRACE ROAD, CORNER OF PORTLAND-STREET. Guinness's Stout in Bottles, 4s. 6d. per doz.; Allsopp's Pale Ales, in Bottles, 4s. 6d. per doz.; Worthington's Pale Ale, in nine and eighteen gallon casks; Martell's Brandy, 4s. 6d. per bottle; Hennessy's Old Pale Brandy, 4s. 6d. per bottle. PORTS AND SHERRIES FROM TWO SHILLINGS PER BOTTLE. MOET AND CHANDON'S CHAMPAGNE. RHINE WINES OF EVERY DESCRIPTION. Ellis's Aerated Waters
CN 12.6.1874

1874
WHITE HORSE HOTEL, TERRACE ROAD. JOHN REA, PROPRIETOR. NEAR THE SEA.
CN 3.7.1874

1875
White Horse, Rea, John, Inn and Public House, Terrace Road, Aberystwyth, (Worrall’s Directory, 1875)

1881
Rea, Mary Anne occupation Licenced Victualler,
house no.: Terrace Road head (widow) source Census page 61
date: ..1881 census no. 0 4
age 41 born: 1840 place of birth

1884
John Rea
occupation: Public House
address: 24 Terrace Road
source: Kelly's trade directory, 1884

1889
White Horse Hotel, Mrs Rea, J., Hotel owner, Aberystwyth, (Gossiping Guide to Wales, p. adverts section, p. 3, (1889), advert)

1891
Rea, Mary Ann occupation hotel keeper,
house no.: Terrace Road head source Census page
date: ..1891census no. 24
age 51 1840 place of birth Newtown, Mont

1892
Monday afternoon next, Mr Owen Daniel will hold, at the Lion Hotel an important sale of property, including the … the White Horse Hotel, Terrace-road, and the three houses adjoining it in Upper Portland-street.
CN 22.7.1892
1892
Mr Daniel offered for sale the leasehold White Horse Hotel in Terrace-road in the occupation of Mrs Rae at £50 and the adjoining house, No. 18, Portland- street in the occupation of Mrs Owen at £16. The property was purchased by Mrs Rae for £800. Mrs Rae conducts her hotel in a way which makes it a credit to the town and general satisfaction is felt at her being able to secure it at a fair sum.
CN 29.7.1892

1892
Mrs Rae, of the White Horse Hotel, informed the [Licencing] Bench that she had purchased the adjoining premises and intended adding it to the hotel. The Bench said that knowing as they did Mrs Rae so well and the way she conducted the house, they felt sure no difficulty would arise.
CN 9.9.1892

1893
NEW SEASON'S FRUIT. CURRANTS! RASINS!! SULTANAS !!!
CHOICE SELECTION OF FANCY FRUITS, FRENCH PLUMS, PRUNES, ELVA PLUMS. METZ AND OTHER SPECIAL CRYSTALIZED.
REA'S STORES,
48, TERRACE ROAD, ABERYSTWYTH.
AO 30.12.1893

1893
assignment of the lease from Rev Edward Edwards to Mrs M.A. Rea
Ceredigion Archives, Aberystwyth Corporation Deeds 47.5

1893
surrender from: Mrs M.A. Rea to the Corporation
Ceredigion Archives, Aberystwyth Corporation Deeds 47.5

1893
LEASES. It was agreed to renew the lease of Nos 16 and 18, Portland-street, and the White Horse Hotel for Mrs Rea at an annual ground rent of £23 5s 5d.
CN 9.6.1893

1893
The licence of the White Horse Hotel, which had been adjourned for the inspection of the magistrates of the additions and improvements to the house, was renewed.
CN 29.9.1893

1894
Rea’s Stores, 48 Terrace Road (advert)
CN 20.11.1894

1895
Objection was taken by the police to the renewal of the licence of the White Horse Hotel on the ground of internal communication between the hotel and the grocer's shop. In reply to a question, the Chief Constable said the hotel was well conducted there could be no question about that. Mrs Rea pointed out that there had always been a communication between the premises and that she had made thirty-three previous applications for renewals and had never had one complaint against her. The door from the shop led into a private room to which no one but the household came. The Mayor, giving the decision of the Bench to renew the licence, remarked “'Looking back to the splendid record of this house we cannot do otherwise."
CN 27.9.1895

1895
Mary Rea public house and grocer
White Horse Hotel 48 Terrace Road
source: Slater's 1895
1897
Insurance policy
date: 25.12.1897
lease box no. 18.2
occupied by : Allsopp, (beer store) & J.C. Rea, (beer store) & Miss V. Smith, (milliner) & John Morgan, (printer)

1898
White Horse Hotel, Rea, Aberystwyth, (Gossiping Guide to Wales, p. adverts section, p. 5, (1898), advert)

1899
The lease-hold dwelling house, No 10, Portland-street, at present in the occupation of Miss Mary Elizabeth Edwards, was also put up for sale. The property is held under a lease from the Corporation for the unexpired term of twenty-one years from May 9th, 1899. It was sold to Mrs Rea, White Horse Hotel, Terrace-road, for J6450.
CN 2.6.1899

1899
The lease-hold dwelling house, No 10, Portland-street, at present in the occupation of Miss Mary Elizabeth Edwards, was also put up for sale. The property is held under a lease from the Corporation for the unexpired term of twenty-one years from May 9th, 1899. It was sold to Mrs Rea, White Horse Hotel, Terrace-road, for J6450.
CN 2.6.1899

1900
White Horse Hotel, Rea, Hotel owner, Aberystwyth,
(Gossiping Guide to Wales, p. adverts section, p. 2, (1900), advert)

1900 (about)
Rea, occupation Family Grocer, Provision and Wine and Spirit Merchant,
house no.: 48 Terrace Road
source Peeps at Picturesque Wales page 30
date: ..1900 (about) 1984.237.13 advert

1901
APPROACHING IMPORTANT SALE. Mr J. E. James, in conjunction with Mr R. K. Jenkins will, on Friday, the 28th February, at the Lion Hotel, offer by sale by public auction the old-established family and leasehold hotel in Terrace-road, known as the White Horse Hotel, which has been so successfully conducted for over a quarter of a century by Mrs Rea, who is now retiring. In addition to the Hotel, a dwelling house and premises in Portland-street will be sold as well as the shop and premises in Terrace-road wherein Mr Rea has built up an excellent grocery and provision business. The premises are situated in the principal street of the town and not far from the Marine-terrace. The solicitors are Messrs Hughes and Hughes.
CN 21.2.1901 [check this]

1902
WHITE HORSE HOTEL AND REA'S STORES, ABERYSTWYTH. MR. J. E. JAMES, in conjunction with Mr R. K. JENKINS, has been instructed by Mrs Rea (who is retiring from business) to Sell by Auction, at the Lion Royal Hotel, Aberystwyth (unless previously disposed of by Private Contract), On FRIDAY, the 28th day of FEBRUARY, 1902, At 3 o'clock p.m., subject to conditions to be then produced, All that Old-Established Leasehold Family and Commercial Hotel known as the WHITE HORSE HOTEL, ABERYSTWYTH, With the goodwill and fixtures thereto belonging together with the LEASEHOLD DWELLING HOUSE AND PREMISES adjoining the Hotel, and numbered 16, Portland-street. And also the well- known SHOP AND PREMISES adjoining the Hotel in Terrace-road, known as REA'S STORES. Together with the goodwill thereof. The whole of the premises are held under a lease from the Corporation of Aberystwyth for the residue term of 75 years from the 12th day of November, 1892, at a ground rent of £8, and an annual commuted fine or rent of £18 3s 6d. The latter may be commuted by a payment to the Corporation. The White Horse Hotel, which is a fully licensed and free house, is situated at the junction of Portland-street with Terrace-road, the main thoroughfare leading from the Railway Station to Marine-terrace and sea front, and is about 230 yards distant from the former, and about fifty yards from the latter, with entrance into both Portland-street and Terrace-road. The position is probably un-equalled and the property is yearly becoming more valuable. The Hotel business is widely known, especially throughout the whole of Wales and the Midlands, and further accommodation is both necessary and available by the addition of the before mentioned Dwelling House, No. 16, Portland-street. This work would have been under- taken by Mrs Rea herself but for her retirement from business after a period of forty years' continuous management of the Hotel. A most successful and high class business in Grocery, Provisions, Wines, Spirits, and Bottled Beer has been established in Rea's Stores which are also admirably situated and were arranged and fitted throughout by Messrs Parnall and Sons of Bristol. The property has a frontage to Terrace-road of fifty-five feet and to Portland street of fifty-nine feet and is in excellent condition, and the premises are fitted throughout with electric light. The stock in trade shall be taken over by the Purchaser at a valuation and the Purchaser will have the option of taking over also the furniture and effects of the above premises at a valuation. Possession may be had on completion of purchase. For further particulars apply to Mr J. E. James, auctioneer, North-parade, Aberystwyth Mr R. Killin Jenkins, Baker-street, Aberystwyth or to Messrs A. J. Hughes and Hughes, solicitors, Aberystwyth.
CN 7.2.1902

1902
Mr A. J. Hughes then read the conditions of sale of the White Horse Hotel, Rea's Stores, and dwelling house in Portland-street, which have a ground rent of £23 3s 5d and an unexpired Corporation lease of seventy five years from 1892. Mr Hughes stated that the stock in trade of the Hotel and Stores would have to be taken over by the purchaser, and the purchaser would have the option for seven days of taking over the furniture. Mr James, in offering the property, said he had a private offer for the property. The bidding started at £5,000 and by £500's went up to £7,500 and thence £100's to £7,900, at which it was withdrawn, Mr James saying the property would be sold by private treaty.
CN 7.3.1902

1902
Mr J. E. James, auctioneer and valuer said the two shops [in Terrace Road] he tried to sell were Garner's and the White Horse. He declined to state the reserve in open Court, as the property was still in the market. The White Horse was withdrawn at £7,750.
CN 24.10.1902

1903-1972
White Horse 48 Terrace Road
no name occupation: Hotel Proprietors, Mr and Mrs Gerald Morris in 1972
source: Wales Trades' Directory

1905
Petty Sessions: Aberystwyth; number on list: 49; name of premises: White Horse Hotel; Parish / Place: Aberystwyth; Licensee: Rea, Mary Ann; owner or tenant : owner ; registered owner : Mary Ann Rea, White Horse Hotel; free or tied: free; tied to: [blank]; type of licence: full; on or off licence: on; number of licenced days per week: 7. (1905 list)

1906
the temporary transfer of the licence of the White Horse Hotel from Mrs Rea. to Mr J. C. Rea, who has purchased the premises, was granted.
CN 15.6.1906

1906
REA'S RESTAURANT AND STORES The appearance of Terrace-road and Portland-street has been greatly improved by the conversion of the old-established and reputable White Horse Hotel and grocery stores into a first-class restaurant, confectionery business, wine stores, and extensive grocery and provision departments. The alteration to the frontage have been carried out by Messrs Parnall and Sons, of London, and Bristol. The frames have been worked in solid mahogany filled in with large plate windows and the facias and tablets, artistically designed, are the first of the kind put in by Messrs Parnall. The firm has been in business in the Terrace-road premises for close on half a century. Mr John Rea, father of the present proprietor, was formerly engaged with Uosley, of Hereford, in running the mail coach from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth in pre-railway days. After the, opening of the Cambrian [railway] into Aberystwyth in 1864 Mr and Mrs Rea took the White Horse Hotel in Terrace-road and thirteen years ago their son, Mr J C Rea [born about 1869], opened grocery and provision stores in adjoining premises which this year have had to be enlarged to meet the requirements of the rapidly-developing business. The new premises displace the Terrace-road bar and the hotel has been converted into a first-class restaurant with a comfortable lounge bar. The stores form one of the most complete establishments in Wales. The grocery department remains as it was. Next to the grocery department is the sweet and confectionery department. The provision department is a special feature of the new business. It is provided with marble fittings which give it a cleanly and cool appearance, and in addition a new cellar has been made of white tiles for cold storage purposes and fitted up with every modern appliance. Another new feature of the business is the cooked meat department where, visitors who do not want the trouble of catering for themselves on their holidays and picnic parties will be able to obtain viands of very description at reasonable prices, prepared and cooked on the premises. The windows of the several departments are tastefully dressed, one of them containing an attractive display of Messrs C and T Harris of Calne's noted Wiltshire goods in the shape of several porkers surmounted by a fine wild boar's head. Mr Rea is Messrs Harris' sole agent for Aberystwyth. The firm is the oldest firm of wine and spirit merchants in Aberystwyth and that department will be continued in an extended form. To deal with the demand on this department special accommodation has had to be provided in a duty-paid warehouse and bottling store, a place of five storeys in Corporation-street. In connection with this department, Mr Rea is solo agent at Aberystwyth for Whitbread and Cos ales and StvuL, Idris and Co's mineral waters and also stocks Schweppe's and Appolinaris waters. A few years ago, Mr Rea visited Germany and made arrangements to obtain at first hand light summer wines of great purity and excellence. The firm are bottlers of Bass' ales and Guinness's stout, supply Wrexham lager beer, and Devonshire cider, and have a special Black Bottle" whisky which, with Plynlymon water, is a perfect blend of the purest whisky out of Scotland with the purest water in Wales.
CN 13.7.1906

1906
Transfer of lease from: Mrs M.A. Rea, to her son John Charles Rea
Ceredigion Archives, Aberystwyth Corporation Deeds 47.5

1906
48 Terrace Road White Horse
reason for plans: Alterations R. C., Rea
date of deposit of plan: 6.4.1906
source: Aberystwyth Borough plans register T38 Ceredigion Archives, CDC/A/BP/1

1906
Mary A. Rea, Mrs
occupation: hotel and grocer
48 Terrace Road
source: Kelly's, 1906

1907
White Horse Hotel, Rea, wine and spirit merchant, 48 Terrace Road, Aberystwyth, (Gibson, Aberystwyth, What to See and How to See it, p. u, (1907), advert)

1910
Mr J. C. Rea, at his elaborate establishment in Terrace road, has stocked a wonderful lot of choice preserved fruits. These include Metz fruits, Carlsbad and Elva plums, Imperials, j crystalised fruits, and are the pick of the Continental market. The high class provisions which this noted firm always sell is an assurance to intending purchasers that only the very best of these special lines will be offered. The Christmas table will not be complete without some of these excellent goods.
CN 22.12.1910
[Newspapers for 1911-1913 inclusive are not digitised]

1910
48 Terrace Road White Horse Hotel public house
occupier: John Rea
Owner: self
Gross annual value: £135
source: Duty on land values, 1910, Ceredigion Archives T/DV/2, page 87 no. 1751

1914
Mary A Rea
occupation: White Horse
address: 48 Terrace Road
source: Kelly's trade directory 1914

1916-1925
White Horse Café and Restaurant 48 Terrace Road
no name occupation: Café and Restaurant
source: Wales Trades' Directory

1915
White Horse Hotel, Rea, M.A., hotel, Terrace Road / Portland Street, Aberystwyth, (National Eisteddfod programme, 1915, p. 128, (1915)

1919
the licence of the White Horse Hotel was transferred from Mrs Rea to her son, Mr J. C. Rea, T.D.,
CN 5.12.1919

1920
Mary A Rea, Mrs
occupation: Public House
White Horse Hotel48 Terrace Road
source: Kelly's, 1920

1923
White Horse Hotel, Rea, wine and spirit merchant, Terrace Road, Aberystwyth, (Aberystwyth Corporation, Aberystwyth, the Biarritz of Wales, p. 20, (1923), advert)
1926
White Horse Hotel, Rea, wine and spirit merchant, Terrace Road, Aberystwyth, (Anon, Official Guide and Souvenir, p. a25, (1926), advert)
1928
White Horse Hotel, Rea, wine and spirit merchant, 48 Terrace Road, Aberystwyth, (Anon, Parish Magazine for Aberystwyth churches, p. 6, (1928), advert)
1934
White Horse Hotel, Rea, restaurateur & hotel proprietor & wine and spirit merchant, Terrace Road, Aberystwyth, (Anon, Official Guide and Souvenir, p. 110, (1934), advert)
1950s
White Horse Hotel, Mr and Mrs Kinniburgh, Tom, hotel proprietor, Aberystwyth, (Anon, Official Guide, p. 36, (1950s), advert)
1950s
White Horse Hotel, Anon, hotel manager, Terrace Road, Aberystwyth, (Anon, Official Guide, p. 44, (1960s), advert)
1958
White Horse Hotel, Mr and Mrs Baker, G.C., hotel proprietor & restaurant & wine shop, Portland Street Terrace Road, Aberystwyth, (Anon, Official Guide, p. 50, (1958), advert)
1959
White Horse Hotel, Mr and Mrs Baker, G.C., hotel proprietor, Terrace Road / Portland Street, Aberystwyth, (Anon, Official Guide, p. 42, (1959), advert)
1960s
Anon, occupation hotel manager,
house no.: 46 White Horse Hotel Terrace Road
source Anon, (1950sa), Official Guide page 44
date: ..1960s 2355 AYB40 advert



Additional information