Hill Park Hotel, 32 Hill Park Crescent, Greenbank PL4 8JP

Mid 19th century Greenbank was exactly that – lush green fields close to a hill – but one of the first terraces built was Hill Park Crescent. The old Greenbank Prison – later used as a police station and by the health service – was built by 1849, just around the corner. There is some thought that the Governor may well have lived here for some time – note the watch tower at the very top of the building.

Our book “Moor To Sea – Devon Real Ale Guide” described the Hill Park as a “large, two-bar estate pub with occasional weekend disco.” Back in 1992, they served three real ales – Courage Best and Directors, and Wadworth 6X. By 1994, with new licensees and new ideas, the Hill Park was the first pub in Plymouth to serve Sharp’s Doom Bar permanently, just after Sharp’s had started out. They stayed here for 8 or 9 years, building a good reputation for their real ale.

Sadly, after a number of changes in licensees, the pub was closed in 2011 and converted into student flats in 2013.