The Skittles Inn, Letchworth

Designed, for use as a non-licensed public house, the Skittles Inn opened on the 8th March 1907, combining the ideas of a continental cafe with that of an Old English Inn. The entrance hall still retains its original bar counter over which was sold Cydrax (a non-alcoholic apple wine), Bournville's Drinking Chocolate, Tea and Sarsparilla.  Externally the roof eaves are brought down over deep verandas or 'stoeps' with fitted seats, facing west to catch the evening sun.  Long benches, or settles, were fitted to the wall.  The Letchworth Settlement, an independent adult education centre took over the building in 1925.

Reference    The Craftsman  Volume XXII Number 4 July 1912 pages 425-434. Barry Parker Modern country homes in England: number twenty-six
Illustration    Skittles Inn - exterior, Craftsman July 1912 p428
Illustration    Skittles Inn - Lounging room showing fireplace and bar, Craftsman July 1912 p428