The William Henry

The William Henry

Weymouth

Proposed works to The William Henry included a full refurbishment of the existing customer areas over lower-ground, mid-ground and upper-ground floors. A redundant secondary bar area was removed from the mid- ground floor to allow for an extension to the customer area and the main bar on the upper-ground floor underwent a total overhaul with new joinery, over bar glass racks and dispense upgrades. We also repaired and replaced elements of the Grade II listed shopfront and installed new signage. The pub is part of a terrace of 12 Grade II listed houses once owned by Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester & brother to King George III. The Kings’ visits to Weymouth, upon the recommendation of his Royal Apothecary, saw the area become a fashionable seaside resort in the early 19th century. The Kings’ Royal Apothecary; Robert Battiscombe, famously prescribed the King to bathe and drink the waters of Weymouth bay to cure his ailments.

The design for the bar was therefore influenced by Victorian apothecary shop details and incorporated local fossilized Portland stone into the front panels. A quote from John Crane’s (Physician of Dorchester) book ‘Cursory Observations on Sea-Bathing; The Use of Sea Water Internally and The Advantages of a Maritime Situation as Conducing to health & Longevity’ can be found etched into the mirrors of the back bar. The existing carpet and some furniture had been recently replaced/ re-upholstered, so this was retained to make effective use of the budget in other areas of the pub. Existing artwork was largely retained, with a few original local artist paintings re-framed to form feature wall panels as you enter the pub on the lower-ground floor. New Stained Iroko windows and signage was installed along with a Heritage colour change to lift and enhance the listed shopfront.