The Salthouse Bar and Restaurant

The Salthouse in Clevedon was originally used as a salt mine in the late 1800’s before it was changed to a Private Residence.

Set in a beautiful location within woodland surroundings and picturesque sea views, a lot has happened over the years and no doubt if the walls of this historic pub could talk they would be able to tell you a story or two.

Salt Panning was carried out on a 7 year lease by Samuel Gorges of Wraxall from 1689. He had permission from the Lord of the Manor to set up buildings, furnaces and retaining walls for the making of salt, which was done by letting sea water into depressions in what is now Salthouse Fields and letting evaporation take it’s course, the remaining moisture was boiled off in the furnaces.

Two cottages used by the salt workers were later converted into a fine private house by Mr Ferdinand Beeston, a timber merchant in the early 1830’s. He owned the house for some 20 years and when he became bankrupt, it was purchased by Conrad Finzel Junior, whose father built and owned what is now Clevedon Hall. The Finzels were sugar merchants and legend has it that they watched their ships come up the channel from the gazebo on Sugar Loaf Point, now derelict.