Pub of the Week: Manton’s Oddfellows reveals curious horseracing past

The Oddfellows, located in the village of Manton just a mile outside of Marlborough, is the Wadworth brewery’s second oldest tenanted pub.

It has proved so favourable that the Manton Residents Association has nominated the venue to be listed as an asset of community value to protect its future if anything threatened to change it.

The Oddfellows was listed in October of 1974. (Image: The Oddfellows)

Sharon Smith and husband Matt from Beckhampton have been running the local favourite watering hole since May.

“I am really happy here as it’s a great little pub with good trade but we don’t tend to have that many regulars as it’s a small village,” she said.

“It is really well decorated with lots of ornaments which helps creates a warm and homely environment.

“There are three members of staff that work very hard to provide the locals with great food and we haven’t had any complaints yet.

The Oddfellows has changed names over the years. (Image: The Oddfellows)

“Nothing special occurs but it does what it says on the tin and we are proud of that as we don’t try to be something we are not.”

Although the pub’s present is a well-loved traditional hotspot for locals, the building’s past is somewhat more colourful.

The Oddfellows has been a Grade II-listed building since October 1974 but changed its iconic name in 2008 in interesting circumstances.

“It changed to the Outside Chance because a previous owner won lots of money on a horse which was not expected to win,” added Sharon.

The Oddfellows' interior is warm and welcoming. (Image: The Oddfellows)

Guy Sangster bought the pub after a bad experience there when he tried to enter after dog walking only to be told that dogs were not welcome and that his boots were too muddy.

He bought the pub in 2008 with the winnings from his racehorse Only Dreams which won at Leicester in March of the same year as a 100-1 outsider.

Since 2019, the pub changed its name back, and Sharon has made sure that the dog rule has been changed these days.

The Oddfellows has a wide selection of drinks available. (Image: The Oddfellows)

“We welcome dogs and we get lots in there and we leave bowls of water outside for them,” said the 53-year-old.

“There is a lovely courtyard which is covered by a stretched tent that can seat around 60 people and the beer garden has a little play area for the kids.

“We are also within walking distance to Jubilee Field as there is a gateway in our beer garden that leads straight to it.”