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Pub Renovation Uncovers Secret 400-Year-Old Room
28 Apr
Summary
- Hidden beams and a secret room were found during pub repairs.
- Deathwatch beetles caused damage, leading to the discovery.
- The newly found space shows signs of once being habitable.

Renovation work at The Red Lion pub in Woodbridge, Suffolk, has led to a remarkable discovery: hidden beams and a secret room dating back approximately 400 years. The repairs were initiated due to damage caused by deathwatch beetles, which had bored into the pub's woodwork, leading to plaster falling off.
As builders stripped away damaged plaster, they uncovered architectural features and a previously unknown space. Landlady Jo Myers described the find as "stepping into another century," expressing surprise at the uncovered windows and fireplaces. Although the newly discovered room is not accessible or safe, it clearly shows evidence of being habitable in the past.
The ongoing renovation, supported by a £60,000 grant, aims to preserve the historic structure. The discovery has generated considerable local interest, with residents observing the building's hidden history being revealed.