The Amberley Inn was built in 1855. The Cotswold stone building is situated at the edge of Minchinhampton Common with magnificent views over the Woodchester Valley.
The Amberley Inn was one of the original inns acquired by the Stroud Brewery Company on its incorporation as a Public Company in 1888. The Amberley Inn was partly re-built in 1898-1899 with a wing added and was considerably enlarged and modernised in 1926. In 1948 mural paintings in the bar were redecorated. The Stroud Brewery Courier reported: ‘one wall depicts the view of the Woodchester Valley from Amberley, while an illustrated map of Gloucestershire occupies another wall. Over the fireplace one finds the very life-like picture of the famous highwayman, Tom Long, about to hold up a coach on Minchinhampton Common, but the most amusing of the paintings is that of ‘Old King Cole’, complete with juggler, tailor, painter, butcher and coalman, which symbolises the “theme song” of the Inn.’ These murals were executed by Mr Cedrick J. Kennedy, the actual time spent on the work being about ten hours.”
There are reports of paranormal activity at the pub. It is said that Tom Long fell in love with a landlords daughter but the love affair was given short thrift by the landlord who refused be associated with the notorious highwayman. After Tom Long was hanged at the cross in Minchinhampton Common he is said to have returned to haunt the inn to be near his lost love.
In January 1970 customers and staff at the Amberley Inn dived for cover as a gas explosion ripped through the lounge bar.
The Inn, which was acquired by Old English Inns in 1996, now has 14 en-suite bedrooms and two bars with oak panelling and log fires.
https://www.theamberleyinn.co.uk
Map Reference: SO850013
Licensing Details:
Rateable Value 1891: £14.10s.0d.
Type of licence in 1891: Alehouse
Owner in 1891: Stroud Brewery
Rateable Value 1903: £14.10s.0d.
Type of licence in 1903: Alehouse
Owner in 1903: Stroud Brewery
Closing time in 1903: 10 pm.
Landlords / Managers at the Amberley Inn include:
1885 Josiah Beames
1891 Jesse Hunt.
1897 Richard Ashmead (Richard took the licence in June 1897)
1902 Joseph Ashmead
1903,1914 Richard William Ashmead. (Richard died in 1914)
1914, 1919 Rosa J.C. Ashmead (Rosa was the widow of Richard Ashmead)
1927 Frederick Martin Ransom
1946 Maurice Gilmore
1975-1983 Sue Ash (manageress. Left for a new career as tenant steward with husband Cec at Chipping Sodbury golf club)
1985(?),1999 Pauline and Julian Court
2002 Andy and Gemma Bidmead
2003 Patrick Morris
2006 Amanda Watson (Manager)
2008 Stan and Jeanne Higdon
