Pubs of Cherry Hinton - The Russian Arms
The Story of the Russian Arms Pub in Cherry Hinton
If you’ve ever passed the house near the corner of Cherry Hinton High Street and Fisher’s Lane and spotted the inscription "Russian House 1867" above the door, you might have wondered about its past. That unassuming building was once the Russian Arms - a pub with a unique name and a fascinating piece of Cherry Hinton’s history.
During lockdown in 2020, I looked into the history of the Russian Arms, uncovering a tale that spans at least 45 years, from 1867 to 1912.
Built in 1867 (as the name above the door still proclaims), the building was likely purpose-built as a public house. It served not just beer but also the community, hosting property auctions, inquests, and meetings, as many pubs of the era did.
The Russian Arms was tied to the Apthorpe brewing family of Cambridge, with beer likely supplied from their Albion Brewery. Over the years, it saw various landlords and landladies, including the Merry, Fuller, Nightingale, and Burch families. In 1912, it was closed under the 1904 Licensing Act and has remained a private residence ever since—though the pub’s name lives on above the door.
I’ve written up the story, which includes maps, census records, old photographs, newspaper snippets, and even some mystery about how it got its name.
You can read my full illustrated notes report by clicking on the button below: