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The Historic Pig & Whistle Inn marks an extraordinary milestone this year, celebrating 194 years as an enduring cornerstone of Bathurst’s history and community. Standing proudly since the early 1820s, the building has been woven into the town’s story from its very beginnings.

The inn was established by Thomas Hartley, one of the 1820 settlers who arrived in the Eastern Cape in search of a new life. Hartley built a forge and home in Bathurst and, by 1832, opened an inn alongside his smithy to accommodate wagon travellers passing through the frontier settlement. Perfectly positioned as a vital stopover, the Bathurst Inn quickly gained a reputation as a respected and reliable place of rest.

Despite its proximity to a working forge, the inn confidently promoted its accommodation as “Subscription Rooms for Gentlemen” and soon attracted a distinguished clientele. Governors, magistrates, surgeons, and colonial officials were among its many notable guests. Following Thomas Hartley’s death in 1840, his wife Sarah Hartley assumed ownership, and under her gracious hospitality the inn flourished, becoming the preferred lodging for travelling dignitaries.

Throughout the decades, the inn changed hands and welcomed a diverse array of visitors, including artists, explorers, and officials. During the Second World War, Royal Air Force soldiers stationed nearby bestowed the establishment with the name it carries today — The Pig & Whistle, in honour of their beloved pub back home.

Nearly two centuries on, the Pig & Whistle Inn remains a living landmark. It continues to welcome travellers and locals alike, fulfilling its original purpose: bringing people together. As it celebrates 194 years of history, resilience, and shared stories, the Pig & Whistle Inn looks ahead to many more milestones still to come.