Coleford Walks - Inns of the Past

Inns of the Past

Like many small settlements, Coleford had a goodly share of alehouses and the walk is a short circular tour around sites in the town. It is interesting to learn that a Colonel Worgan, in return for saving the life of King Charles I at the battle of Edge Hill in 1642, was granted three boons. One of these was that his tenants and neighbours might brew and sell beer unmolested (i.e. without tax or licence). This continued until the passing of the Beer-house Act. In 1483 George Hiet was granted the office of Aleconner of the parish of Newland (he was authorised to taste all beers to ensure their palatability for sale).

Inns of the Past - map of the walk There have been many pubs in Coleford over the years and a lot of these have been demolished. In this walk it is intended to give a flavour of the hostelries and also mention a few others in passing.

The pubs are numbered on the map and identified in the text.

start the route in pictures

Start facing the clock tower underneath the new archway.

Immediately to your right are 'Allsorts' and 'Dean Magna Insurance'. This was the UNICORN (1)

As you walk on down the street past 'Fairways Furnishings' you come to the 'Hong Kong House' and 'Forest Keys / B and M Weston'. This was the FLEECE INN (2)

Next door, set well back is the FEATHERS HOTEL (3). This was previously the PLUME OF FEATHERS and dates back to at least 1654. In 1872 the hotel was held by Abraham Lockley.

Public Houses in Coleford in 1830
Public Houses in Coleford in 1881

Inns and Public Houses listed in Coleford in 1830
(from the town trades directory)

Angel Inn & Posting House Thomas HOLDER, Innkeeper
Jovial Colliers Thomas GODWIN , Innkeeper,
King's Head Thomas PORTER , Innkeeper
Red Lion Thomas GRINDELL , Innkeeper/Public Ho.
Old White Hart George MORGAN , Innkeeper
Plume of Feathers John EDWARDS , Innkeeper/Public Ho.
Royal Oak Richard EDWARDS , Innkeeper/Public Ho.
White Hart Richard PORTER , Innkeeper/Public Ho.
Traveller's Rest, Whitecliff Jeremiah TRIGG, Innkeeper/Public Ho.

Inns and Public Houses listed in Coleford in 1881
(from the 1881 census)

Prince Of Wales
1 Sparrow Hill
Robert MORGAN married, age 49, born Newland. Occ: Innkeeper & Brewers Traveller
Source: PRO Ref RG11 Piece 5223 Folio 4 Page 1

Queens Head
4 The Spout
John MARFELL married, age 38, born West Dean, Occ: Engine Driver At Colliery And Innkeeper
Source: PRO Ref RG11 Piece 5223 Folio 7 Page 8

White Swan
6 St John St
James BULLOCK widower, age 62, born Newnham, Occ: Sadler & Innkeeper
Source: PRO Ref RG11 Piece 5223 Folio 8 Page 9

Railway Inn
16 St John St
Thomas TEAGUE married, age 50, born Newland, Occ: Innkeeper
Source: PRO Ref RG11 Piece 5223 Folio 8 Page 10

?
1 Staunton Rd
George JONES married, age 61, born Coleford, Occ: Carpenter & Innkeeper
Source: PRO Ref RG11 Piece 5223 Folio 8 Page 10

?
Whitecliff Rd
George EVANS married, age 38 , born Goodrich, Herefordshire. Occ: Butcher & Innkeeper
Source: PRO Ref RG11 Piece 5223 Folio 20 Page 34

Folly
Whitecliff Rd
John TAYLOR married, age 54, born Newent, Occ: Innkeeper
Source: PRO Ref RG11 Piece 5223 Folio 21 Page 35

Red Lion
10 High Street
Milson W. HARRIS widower, age 52 , born Coleford, Occ: Innkeeper
Source: PRO Ref RG11 Piece 5223 Folio 26 Page 2

Feathers Inn
3 Market Place
Abraham LOCKLEY married, age 48, born Cannock, Staffordshire. Occ: Innkeeper
Source: PRO Ref RG11 Piece 5223 Folio 28 Page 6

The Unicorn
9 Market Place
Edward A. SMITH married, age 71, born West Dean, Occ: Innkeeper
Source: PRO Ref RG11 Piece 5223 Folio 29 Page 8

Butchers Arms
38 & 37 Coalway Rd
Elizabeth CULLIS widow, age 61, born Heaton Bishop, Herefordshire. Occ: Innkeeper
Source: PRO Ref RG11 Piece 5223 Folio 33 Page 15

Plough Inn
George SALMON married, age 38, born Gt Marlow, Buckingham. Occ: Brewers Agent
Source: PRO Ref RG11 Piece 5223 Folio 34 Page 17

Cross Inn
William ASTON married, age 24, born Berry Hill, Occ: Coal Miner
Source: FHL PRO Ref RG11 Piece 5223 Folio 42 Page 2

White Hart Inn
Richard JONES married, age 51, born Newland, Occ: Innkeeper
Source: PRO Ref RG11 Piece 5223 Folio 61 Page 11

Kings Head
David CHAMBERLAIN married, age 52, born Luknor, Oxfordshire, Occ: Innkeeper
Source: PRO Ref RG11 Piece 5223 Folio 61 Page 12

?
8 Gloucester Road
John MORRIS married, age 52, born (not known) Wiltshire. Occ: Innkeeper
Source: PRO Ref RG11 Piece 5223 Folio 62 Page 14

Angel Hotel
James GRIFFITHS married, age 52, born Huclecote, Gloucester. Occ: Hotel Keeper
Source: PRO Ref RG11 Piece 5223 Folio 61 Page 11

page design by Rod Neep
Forest Web

Immediately to your right are 'Allsorts' and 'Dean Magna Insurance'. This was the UNICORN (1)
As you walk on down the street past 'Fairways Furnishings' you come to the 'Hong Kong House' and 'Forest Keys / B and M Weston'. This was the FLEECE INN (2)
Next door, set well back is the FEATHERS HOTEL (3). This was previously the PLUME OF FEATHERS and dates back to at least 1654. In 1872 the hotel was held by Abraham Lockley.

Inns and Public Houses listed in Coleford in 1830 (from the town trades directory)

Inns and Public Houses listed in Coleford in 1881 (from the 1881 census)

Inns and Public Houses listed in Coleford in 1830
(from the town trades directory)

Inns and Public Houses listed in Coleford in 1881
(from the 1881 census)