Christmas came early this year. On Monday 22nd December, the the Falcon in the Market Square, Huntingdon, reopened after being closed for six long years.

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the Falcon is a wondrous sight to behold. So many photos have been posted to indicate the appalling state that the pub had fallen into. So much needed to be done - ‘could the Falcon ever reopen’ was the question we were all starting to ask.

The reason for the concern was that the Falcon is thought to be Huntingdon’s oldest and most historic pub, most notably as it is said to have been a recruiting centre for Cromwell’s cavalry, part of the New Model Army formed during the English Civil War.

In the end the commitment to tackle an apparently impossible task is so very often a matter of confidence, and an existing reputation so often the basis of that confidence.

The new lease holder of the Falcon is Paul Hepworth. Paul has run the very successful Olde England in Northampton as a special real ale pub for several years. The Olde England offers up to 20 real ales, including a number of LocAles from Great Oakley, Potbelly and others. The Olde England is a very successful pub.

Some months ago, Paul took the lease of a run down pub in Wellingborough, formerly the Swan in Silver Street, and renamed it the Olde England 2. This pub now becoming very popular.

So much as been done to bring the Falcon back to life, and much more is planned: new flooring and wall panelling, a decent cellar - and the pub is already humming.

Over the next three months an upstairs function room will be renovated, good pub food will be served from March/April, and a front room with darts and bar billiards is a longer term plan.

Right now the the Falcon offers 15 real ales on handpump, including at least five LocAles from breweries like Phipps, Nobbys, Potbelly, Julian Church and Great Oakley.

At least 10 real ciders are available, from producers like Gwynt Y Ddraig, Lilly’s and Westons. Also on offer are craft keg beers like Revisionist Craft Lager and Shipyard American Pale Ale.

With experienced manager Stuart Everitt at the helm, we believe the Falcon has an exciting future. We encourage you to see for yourselves.