Visited 5 August 2026 · Ossett Excelsius 5% · Good Beer Guide 2026 and 2027

The Bridewell at 1 Campbell Square occupies a Grade II listed former police station and lock-up dating from the mid-19th century. Its surviving cells recall a time when dockers and sailors could be held here overnight. Charles Dickens is said to have served as a special constable in Liverpool in 1860; the pub’s history connects his night on duty with this bridewell. In the 1980s the building became a rehearsal space for local bands, including Frankie Goes to Hollywood.

Fiona and Dominic Hornsby took over the pub in 2019. The original cells now serve as seating booths beside the downstairs bar, with their heavy doors and hatches still visible. An enclosed courtyard provides an outdoor space within the old walls, while the bar serves cask and craft beers. On my visit I had Ossett’s Excelsius, 5%.