A well‑loved Swindon brewery is bringing a classic tradition back to life by rolling out a new plaque design across its pub estate.
Arkell’s Brewery, the town’s longest‑running business and one of only twenty‑nine independent family brewers still trading in Britain, is refreshing the look of its pubs with a distinctive emblem. These plaques are far more than decoration – they are a visible link to the brewery’s history, a marker of heritage and continuity that has spanned generations.
Earlier this week, following a full exterior repaint, The Freke Arms in Swanborough – also known to many as The Grill on the Hill – became the first to display the new design. Members of the Arkell family, including James, George and Alex, joined James’ wife Carolyn and sister Rosalind to unveil the plaque in front of staff and regulars.
The new look blends symbolism with local pride. The illustration depicts Arkell’s Victorian tower brewery in Swindon, complete with its familiar chimney, while two swans feature as a nod to the Arkell family coat of arms. The result is a fitting tribute to a business that has been part of the region’s fabric since 1843.
Speaking at the unveiling, George Arkell, Managing Director, said: “We are very proud of our story and the heritage that runs through every pub we own. This plaque is a simple but powerful way to show that.”
George also reflected on the family tradition behind the plaques. “My grandfather Peter Arkell introduced the belt plaques in the 1980s that still hang on many of our pubs, and before him my great‑grandfather brought in the ceramic ark plaques. This new design follows on from those earlier ideas.”
With more than ninety pubs across Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Berkshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire, Arkell’s plans to add the plaques as each site undergoes scheduled maintenance in the coming year.
