From an 18th-century country inn to two decades with Ossett Brewery, this historic Hipperholme pub is celebrating its place in the family.

The Travellers Inn has been part of Hipperholme's community for centuries, welcoming locals and travellers alike since the late 18th century, serving as a social hub through generations.

From Victorian tulip shows and its days as the headquarters of the local Rifle Club to its connection with the former railway station opposite, the Travellers has played its own part in the history of Hipperholme.

In December 2005, the pub became part of the Ossett Brewery family, beginning a new chapter in its long history. When Jamie Lawson, Founder of Ossett Brewery Pub Co acquired the freehold, the Travellers Inn was in need of significant investment, having seen little money spent on the building for a number of years. A national pub company had been looking to sell due to concerns over the building’s structural integrity, with flood water even running through the pub from behind during periods of heavy rainfall. Aptly, the steep road running directly behind the pub is named Watergate - a fitting clue to the challenges the building faced, with the road effectively becoming a river in wet weather.

Despite the scale of the problems, Jamie saw the potential in the pub and, in what was very much a heart-over-head decision, decided it was worth the investment to rescue and restore it. The building was stripped back to its bare shell, revealing original features including stone fireplaces and exposed beams. Preserving and celebrating these historic features has since become an important part of Ossett Brewery Pub Co’s approach to refurbishments. Significant work was also undertaken behind the scenes, including redesigning the drainage system, lifting floorboards and installing new routes to redirect and disperse water away from the building.

Now, 20 years later, the pub is marking the milestone with a special celebration for its customers, community and everyone who has been part of its story. On Sunday 11th October the Travellers Inn will host a day of live music, complimentary home-cooked food and festivities as customers old and new come together to raise a glass to 20 years with Ossett Brewery.

Travellers Inn Manager Phil Thompson said: “The Travellers Inn is a special pub to be part of, not only because of its history but because of the people who come through the doors and make it what it is today. To be able to play a part in that and celebrate 20 years with Ossett Brewery is something I’m really proud of. We’re looking forward to a great day on 11th October, with live music, great beer and plenty of reasons to get together, so we’d love everyone to come along and join us.”

Reflecting on the pub’s long-standing place within the Ossett Brewery estate, Jamie Lawson, said: “When we acquired the Travellers Inn in 2005, we knew we were taking on a pub with a long history and a strong place within Hipperholme. It’s a great example of the kind of pub we want to be part of - somewhere with real character, a strong sense of place and a connection to the people around it. 20 years later, it’s fantastic to see that history continuing and to be celebrating this milestone with the team and our customers. Pubs like the Travellers are such an important part of what we do at Ossett, and we’re looking forward to raising a glass to the next chapter.”

Whether a long-standing regular or visiting for the first time, guests are invited to join the team on Sunday 11th October and mark more than two decades of the pub’s journey with Ossett Brewery.