The Aurora Inn was at the far end of the Abbey Almshouses, near Tewkesbury Abbey. It probably took its name from Aurora passage. The earliest mention of the Aurora is in 1869, but was in existence before that date presumably operating under a different name. The building is 500 years old! The Tewkesbury Brewery owned the small beer house in 1891. The Aurora was the first building in Tewkesbury to have an automatic flushing device installed in its toilets but, surprisingly, the surveying department from the town council insisted on its removal. The Aurora failed to meet the requirements of the local justices and was referred for compensation, closing in 1917.
The row of cottages where the Aurora was located was renovated during 1969 – 1972. The large fireplace, which was originally a feature of the public bar, was also restored. The fireplace has room for two persons to sit inside the stonework. It is now the local office of David Billingham & Partners, Solicitors. (Buckles Court, 39 Church Street).
Licensing Details:
Owner in 1891: Tewkesbury Brewery
Rateable value in 1891: £13.0s.0d.
Type of licence in 1891: Beerhouse
Owner in 1903: Arnold Perrett & Co. Ltd., Wickwar Brewery
Rateable value in 1903: £23.0s.0d.
Type of licence in 1903: Beer and Cider licence
Closing time in 1903: 11pm
Landlords at the Aurora include:
1869 Charles Buckle
1869-1879 Samuel Mayall
1879-1889 Alfred Mayall
1889-1897 Charles Henry Joyner
1898 Henry Broadwell
1898-1899 A. H Price
1899-1901 J. R. Black
1901-1902 J. J. Pointin
1902-1903 Algernon W. Neale.
1903-1904 Catherine Crisp
1905 Mary Ann Ford
1905-1906 Horace Barnes
1906-1910 Henry Halford
1910-1912 William Smith
1912-1913 Herbert Watkins
1913-1917 John Jarvis
