The Pony Group acquires The Pelican pub

Family-run hospitality business The Pony Group has acquired The Pelican pub in Chew Magna, North Somerset, with plans to add bedrooms in 2025.

Sitting at the centre of a village on the edge of the Mendips, siblings Josh and Holly Eggleton have joined forces with fellow publicans Lottie and Josh Bryant, also siblings, to launch this brand-new addition to the hospitality group.   

The project will be completed in two phases, beginning with the opening of the ground floor pub on 15th November to bring this watering hole back to the local community.

However, in summer 2025 the team will unveil 10 bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms and kingsize beds, some with rolltop bathtubs. The vision is to create a “feeling of deep comfort and calm in the country, through soft furnishings, homemade touches and timeless design”. 

The Pelican will form an extension of its sister restaurant, The Pony, and will be connected once the rooms launch – the room development and guest experience will be overseen by Holly Eggleton, as part of The Pony offering. The idea is that overnight guests will be able to move between the places seamlessly, with the addition of bicycles and a complimentary shuttle service.  

The Pelican sits at the centre of Chew Magna and it has been an inn or hotel of some kind since being first established in 1615. The team has worked to restore and renovate the entire property, while connecting the main pub to a barn that was formerly a private dining and events space. 

They have achieved this by working with a local architect and Josh Bryant’s own construction company to extend the pub into a glass room with herringbone terracotta floor tiles, and space for tables and chairs, creating two seating areas. The main bar benefits from an open fire, original sash windows and wooden shutters with a large, open bar with stools. 

The walls will be lined with local vintage photos showcasing moments of Chew Magna’s history. The exterior has been repainted in a dark green and the courtyard to the rear will have planters and outside seating. 

The pub will be serving beers, ales and ciders led by Bristol Beer Factory and Wilding Cider, as well as a wine list featuring guest wines from neighbours, The Wine Room. Later, there will be a programme of live music nights and events.

The menu will be a selection of bar snacks, such as pickle pots and crisps made at The Pony using produce from its market garden and eggs from local hens. There will also be tinned fish and snacks from Somerset Charcuterie, such as fennel salami and blue cheese and cider pokers.

Josh and Holly Eggleton said: “We have always wanted to have accommodation as part of The Pony family, it’s been an aspiration of ours for years and we’ve kept a lookout for the right location. We used to go to The Pelican as kids and have fond memories of it, so it’s a natural extension for us to give it a new lease of life while growing The Pony experience beyond the restaurant.” 

Lottie and Josh Bryant added: “Having run a pub in the valley for the past five years, we’re excited to be teaming up with old friends to bring something new to Chew Magna. We share Josh & Holly’s love for hospitality and for the Chew Valley area, so joining forces has been the most rewarding experience and we can’t wait to welcome people through the doors.”