'I convinced my wife we should build a £70,000 pub in our garden'
In the summer of 2020, like so many people in Wales, Lewis Wood and his wife were stuck at home during the pandemic lockdown. But, as many people with more time on their hands did, they decided to use the time to improve their Blackwood detached home.
The couple began by renovating the garden but were then at odds about what should happen next. Lewis says: "My wife wanted a kitchen extension and I wanted a pub for family gatherings. Very rare it happens, but I won! It was also on the agreement that she designs it, so she won that side of the bargain. She has an eye for design and enjoys it."
Luckily for the couple, there was a sizable space at the end of the garden at their detached, four-bed home, enough to accommodate a small structure. However, the whole project gathered momentum and they ended up constructing a garden pub that was over four metres long and way over budget but could, arguably, now claim to be a contender for the best garden pub in Wales.
For more property, renovation and interior design stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: This mansion has a bargain price and unbelievable potential if you're ready to get your hands dirty
Lewis says: "We were initially building it half the size that it eventually ended up, I convinced my wife to build bigger as I knew we needed it to fit the pool table in comfortably! We went the width of the garden by a 4.8 timber beam. The size is perfect.
The cost did run away with us though, it was roughly £70,000. It could be done cheaper of course, but the cost of wood has now gone up since so I'm glad we did it when we did. Inside the pub my wife wanted a warm and welcoming traditional feel and started the design off by creating a moodboard, which she does for every room in the house.
"It was the finishing touches that bumped up the cost, such as with hard wood flooring, cedar wood cladding, designer coving, electric boiler, hand-made tier bar, real leather and tweed seating that was made-to-measure but it was worth it. As my mother-in-law said, 'it's awesome, the best thing ever."
Another stroke of luck for the new landlord and landlady of 'The Boston Arms' was their good friend who has lots of building experience and kindly agreed to help create 'the best garden pub in Wales'. Work started but it wasn't long before the wonderful, wild Welsh weather turned up at the pub with a regular downpour of rain.
Lewis says: "The biggest challenge was the weather, it was so bad we had to buy a large gazebo to work under. It took approximately four months to build but that was for the whole garden renovation."
The day the pub could open its doors to friends and family was a day that Lewis says felt amazing but was also one of relief at how well 'The Boston Arms' pub project, named after the couple's three Boston terrier dogs, had turned out.
Lewis says: "It was Christmas Eve and it was amazing to be able to have a space to accommodate us all. There was live music from my talented nephew Bobby, who was 10 at the time. It gave him confidence with performing in front of people, where else could you do this?!
"Every occasion since has been held here - Christmas dinner, birthdays, baby showers, hen do’s, New Year's Eve, watching sport - it is used almost every night still today, and our children love to use it with their friends. In fact, everyone loves it - where else can you go to a local pub in your pyjamas and take your dogs too?!"
Of all the fantastic events held in the garden pub, Lewis has a favourite. He said: "We have a family fancy dress darts night tournament every year, which even includes a blow up cup for the winner and competitor walk-outs with smoke machine, music, and with high fives everywhere! It's great fun!"
Lewis has two main pieces of advice for anyone thinking of building their own garden pub. He says: "Proper insulation is a must to reduce noise levels for neighbours, so we're glad we went all out on that. But my main advice is to just do it, it’s the best thing you could spend your money on for making memories with family and friends."
But now it's last orders for The Boston Arms as the couple have put their super stylish detached home, including the pub on the market. As well as the pub the house sale includes a contemporary kitchen diner, utility room, two sizable reception rooms, cloakroom and four double bedrooms with an ensuite shower room in the principal, and a family bathroom with statement, free-standing bath.
And, of course, the garden pub for hosting family and friends, which even has its own toilet facilities - no dingy, smelly toilets to be seen at this party pad.
Lewis says he will miss the pub at the end of the garden. He says: "If we could pick it up and take it with us we would, but we will be building another in the new house for sure. We will do it exactly the same, we love it. The new owners will have an amazing space to use for whatever they need it for; a gym, office or maybe they will want to keep the party going."
The house and pub are on the market for £530,000 with Lucas Estates and Rentals, Ystrad Mynach, call 01443 862862 to find out more.
For more property stories join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here.
Find your own next home and garden to build a pub in here:
