The Story of Tucker’s Grave

Tucker’s has never been an ordinary pub.

Long before the campers, live music and Bike Nights, there was a tiny Somerset inn with no bar counter, cider served straight from the cask and a rather unusual name.

And nearly 200 years later, the old pub is still very much at the heart of everything we do.

 

So… Why Tucker’s Grave?

The story goes back to 1747 and a local farm worker named Edward Tucker, who is said to have taken his own life in a nearby barn.

At the time, those who died by suicide could be buried outside consecrated ground, and Edward was reportedly laid to rest at the nearby crossroads.

His burial place became known locally as Tucker’s Grave – and the name stuck.

Quite literally, as it turns out. 

 

The Pub Arrives

The building itself is older than the pub and began life as a cottage. By the early 1800s it was being used as a public house, with 1827 traditionally recognised as the year Tucker’s became an inn. 

And Tucker’s wasn't exactly built with modern pub trends in mind.

There was – and still is – no traditional bar counter. Beer and cider were served directly from the casks, and the little rooms, fireplaces, wooden benches and old Tap Room formed the pub much as we know it today.

Some things are best left alone.

​

Generations of Tucker’s

Over the years, Tucker’s has been looked after by some wonderful characters.

Jimmy and Margery Wilson were part of that story, followed in 1984 by Glenda and Ivan, who became familiar faces behind Tucker’s and helped preserve the wonderfully old-fashioned character of the place.

In the 1980s, the former living room was brought into use as another drinking room – but thankfully nobody got carried away and installed a shiny new bar. 

Tucker’s carried on being Tucker’s.

​

A Pub Worth Protecting

Today, Tucker’s is Grade II listed and recognised for its remarkably well-preserved historic interior.

The old Tap Room, fireplaces, fixed wooden seating, original signage and even an old bell push used to summon service have survived. Most unusually, the original pub still has no bar counter at all – something now found in only a tiny number of pubs in Britain. 

It's not a recreation of an old Somerset pub.

It is one.

​

Then Along Came Jo & Bri…

When Jo and Bri took over Tucker’s, the challenge wasn't to change the old pub.

It was to make sure it survived.

Traditional pubs were – and still are – facing uncertain times, with many closing their doors for good. We knew that relying on the little pub alone wasn't going to be enough to keep Tucker’s going for another generation.

So, little by little, we added a few things.

The campsite grew, the old milking Parlour was brought back to life, the Barn became a home for live music, and along came events, Bike Nights and plenty of other ideas – some more sensible than others.

But there was always one rule:

Don't mess with the old pub.

Everything around Tucker’s has grown to support it, not replace it.

The idea was simple – give more people a reason to come here, so that the little pub at the centre of it all can carry on doing what it has done for nearly 200 years.

​

And Then There Were The Stranglers…

Tucker’s has had its fair share of characters through the doors over the years – including The Stranglers.

The band have a long-standing connection with Tucker’s, going back to Glenda’s years behind the bar, and in 2004 they even released a song called Tucker’s Grave.

The connection didn't end there either. Members of The Stranglers still call in to Tucker’s today, proving that once you've found the place, apparently it's quite hard to stay away.

Not many little Somerset pubs can say they've had a song named after them and still welcome the band through the door years later.

We try not to let it go to our heads.

​

Tucker’s Today

These days you'll find locals at the bar alongside campers, bikers, walkers, families, musicians and people who've travelled a surprisingly long way just to have a pint in a pub without a bar.

There might be a band playing in the Barn, breakfast cooking in the Parlour or a field full of campervans out the back.

But walk through the door of the original pub and you'll still find Tucker’s.

Small rooms. Old fireplaces. Beer from the cask. Plenty of conversation.

And not a bar counter in sight.

​

Nearly 200 Years Later…

In 2027, Tucker’s celebrates 200 years as an inn.

A lot has happened around here since 1827, and quite a lot has been added along the way.

But the important bit hasn't changed.

Tucker’s is still a proper Somerset pub.

We've just given it a few more ways to pay the bills.