Welcome to
The Rusty Gun
Eat, Drink & Celebrate in St Ippolyts, Hitchin
A Warm Welcome Awaits
Nestled in the heart of St Ippolyts, just outside Hitchin, The Rusty Gun is a country pub full of charm, history and great food. Step through the door and you’ll find roaring fires in winter, a beautiful garden for sunny days, and a team that loves what they do.
We’re proud to serve freshly prepared food, local beers from The Old Cannon Brewery, and superb wines from d’Arenberg and The Burch Family Wines — all enjoyed in the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that has made us one of the most loved country pubs near Hitchin.
Whether you’re joining us for lunch, dinner, or simply a drink after a countryside walk, we look forward to welcoming you soon.
Food from the Heart
At The Rusty Gun, food is more than a meal – it’s part of who we are. Our chefs take pride in creating dishes that celebrate the best of British flavours, using fresh, local produce wherever possible.
From hearty pub classics and Sunday roasts to seasonal specials and lighter lunches, everything is cooked with care and served with a smile. We believe great food tastes even better when shared with family and friends, and our menu is designed to bring people together around the table.
The Twin Foxes – Infamous Poachers
The Rusty Gun takes its name from two 12-bore shotguns discovered above the fireplace many years ago. These guns once belonged to the notorious Twin Foxes — Albert Ebenezer and Ebenezer Albert Fox – identical twin brothers and infamous poachers who roamed the Hertfordshire countryside in the 1800s.
Their story has become part of our own, woven into the spirit of the pub itself. You’ll find the full tale beside the fireplace when you visit, a small piece of local history kept alive at The Rusty Gun.
A Beautiful Pub Garden
When the sun shines on Hitchin, there’s nowhere better to be. Our pub garden is one of the most loved features of The Rusty Gun — a peaceful space surrounded by countryside views.
Relax by the pond, warm yourself by the firepit, or let the children feed the piglets — a tradition that’s delighted visitors for years. Whether it’s a summer afternoon or a crisp winter’s evening, it’s a garden made for lingering.
An 18th-Century Inn with a Story to Tell
The building that houses The Rusty Gun dates back to the 18th century. Once believed to be a blacksmith’s home and forge on the toll road between Welwyn and Hitchin, it has always existed to serve travellers.
In the 1930s it became a petrol garage; by the 1980s, a food-led pub – and today, a much-loved restaurant and gathering place for locals and visitors alike. The walls may be old, but the welcome is always warm.
Visit Us Soon
Whether you’re looking for a country pub near Hitchin for a long lunch, a special dinner, or a quiet drink by the fire, The Rusty Gun offers the perfect escape. Our blend of history, hospitality and hearty food makes us one of Hertfordshire’s most inviting places to eat and unwind.
Address: The Rusty Gun, London Road, St Ippolyts, Herts, SG4 7PG
Contact Details:
Phone: 01462 432653
Email: info@therustygun.co.uk
Opening Hours:
Drinks Service: Daily from 12pm.
Food Service:
Monday – Friday: 12pm – 2:30pm / 5pm – 8:30pm
Saturday: 12pm – 9pm
Sunday: 12pm – 6pm (Home to our famous Sunday Carvery)