The Herbert is more than a pub, it’s home, history, and hard work rolled into one. Kim and John Richards live above the bar and have poured their time, energy and heart into keeping this Devonport landmark alive.
Kim and John sold their home to buy the Herbert in 2023. Retirement wasn’t on the cards, instead, they took on the challenge of restoring one of Plymouth’s oldest pubs. John, a builder by trade, has taken charge of the renovations, making sure the building is sound and the future secure. Kim has transformed the bar into a warm, welcoming space while keeping the character of the pub intact. Together, they’ve created a place that still feels like the Herbert, only refreshed for the years ahead.
From above, the Herbert sits neatly among the streets of Morice Town, with the Devonport Dockyard looming close by. That connection to the yard has always shaped the pub’s life as generations of workers have passed through its doors, and the building still stands as a reminder of the bond between community and dockyard.
Out in the garden you’ll find a little piece of Keyham’s past. The original sign from the long-lost Falcon pub has been given pride of place in a corner now named after it. It’s a reminder that pubs come and go, but their memory carries on. At the Herbert, those memories are given room to live on alongside new ones being made every day.
The Herbert isn’t about reinventing the wheel, it’s about looking after what matters. John keeps working on the building, from the structure to the garden, making sure it’s fit for the next generation. Kim keeps the welcome alive inside, where the heart of the pub has always been. Together they’ve shown that the Herbert’s future is every bit as strong as its past.
