Little is known about the Apple Tree Inn, but of interest is that it was owned by William Sadler-Hall of the Royal William in Cranham in 1891. The Cranham Brewery also owned the Crown and Cushion and Five Alls in Bath Road and the Gladstone Arms in Sherborne Street. In 1891 the annual rateable value of the Apple Tree was £17.0s.0d. and it was a licensed beer house.  It is not mentioned in the 1903 petty sessional records. The Apple Tree eventually passed into the ownership of the Stroud Brewery and an inventory of property describes ‘the Apple Tree Inn with two cottages adjoining No’s 55 and 57 Russell Street, Cheltenham.’

Google images

Google images

Ron and Freda Betteridge from Staverton celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary on 8th February 2001. Ron also celebrated his 80th Birthday on the same day. Ron and Freda met at the Apple Tree Inn in Russell Place where he served behind the bar. Ron was also a full-back for Cheltenham Town FC for two seasons during the early 1950’s before transferring to Evesham United.

The owner of 53A Russell Street has contacted me with the information that there is still a covenant on the property which prevents it to being relicensed as a public house. The access to the old pub cellar is still visible at 53 Russell Street and both properties have a single walled garden, but now split with a fence down the middle.


Landlords at the Apple Tree include:

1891,1901 Joseph Osborne Macey (married to Jane in 1901)

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