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Picture source: Hania Franek
The Railway Hotel was situated on Station Road. This pub closed in 2017.
Local newspaper review by John Cutting, 1960s
In the eighty years from 1822 literally millions of navvies built 20,000 miles of railways in Britain and a book published last year (The Railway Navvies by Terry Coleman) tells the fantastic story of these men who, armed with pick and shovel, sweated and blasted their way across the length and breadth of the country.
The coming of the railway meant the decline of the coaches and, with it, the slow death of many famous coaching inns. In their place arose the railway taverns, for the most part builit in solid Victorian style, to provide refreshment for the travellers who, in rapidly increasing numbers, transferred their allegiance to the 'iron horse'. Today the coaching inns are being re-discovered by the motorist while, with the closing of stations in different parts of the country, it may well be the turn of the railway inns to seek fresh trade.
It was in 1836, at a public meeting held in Cambridge, that a decision was made to build a railway into East Anglia. This was at the height of the great railway boom. The line reached Spellbrook in 1840 but the station was afterwards transferred to Sawbridgeworth on the site now occupied by the station-master's cottage. The Railway Inn was probably built a few years later for, during some recent alterations, a farthing dated 1843 was found.
There have been many changes both to the inn and the station since that time. Diesel and electric trains have replaced the old steam locomotives and the density of the traffic has increased with the result that the crossing keeper is now a very busy man. Surely the survival of the level-crossing is one of the strangest anachronisms of our age.
The Railway Inn was originally designed with several bars all discretely veiled from each other in the established Victorian custom for class distinctions had then to be preserved at all times. Today there is a large, open and attractive bar. The panelling and well-designed counter were taken from the Reindeer at Bishop's Stortford when that House was demolished.
The present landlord, Jack Bottrill, came to Sawbridgeworth only a few months ago from the Prince Albert in Islington but he is already an enthusiast for the Hertfordshire countryside. Enthusiasm is the keynote of Jack's character. He is a life member of the Licensed Victuallers National Homes, a member of the Beer and Wine Trade Benevolent Society and was Treasurer of the North London Charitable Association and a committee member of the Protection Society. In addition to these activities he is a great sportsman. The Arsenal Football Club has had his support for many years while he is a member of the Sawbridgeworth Cricket Club and a keen swimmer. Next Winter he plans to start a social darts' Club at the inn.
Both he and Vi. Bottrill, his wife, have ideas for improving and increasing the catering facilities. One of the private rooms at the inn has already been converted into a public dining room and, in addition to snacks at the bar, grills are available all day. Vi. Bottrill also plans to serve supper.s
Sawbridgeworth has long been a famous centre for the milling and malting industries and some of the older customers at the inn have spent a lifetime in these ancient crafts. Fred Miller has known the inn for the past forty years and other characters from the maltings include Bill Marshall and Harry Reed. Jimmy Burton who was once part-owner of the mill still bearing the famous name of Thomas Burton Limited, is also to be seen at the inn.
The great modernisation of the British Rail will bring with it a new look for the surviving railway inns. In the past many of these have had the reputation, not always deserved, for dullness and poor service. The Railway Inn at Sawbridgeworth will shortly be completely redecorated and a Children's Playground built in the gardens. I am sure that, under Vi and Jack Bottrill, this inn will be as attractive and will offer as good service as any in the country.
Brewers: Courage (Eastern) Ltd
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Date of photo: 1960s	Picture source: Carol Springham