The Barley Mow originally stood at the junction of Park Lane and Tetbury Hill (Road). The Cirencester Brewery acquired the Barley Mow on 5th July 1888 with ‘cottage adjoining in Castle Street.’  It was demolished to make way for the Cirencester Museum, built in 1856, which housed the many items of Roman artifacts that were been discovered in the town as part of the re-development by the Bathurst Estate.

The license of the Barley Mow was transferred across the road to a premises in Castle Street. Bill Butler started a private hire car service when he was landlord at the Barley Mow. It became very successful. Mrs Pamela Waddell recalled that the pub had wooden tables and sawdust on the floor and that: “when Mr Butler had any adding up to do behind the bar he used to write the figures down on the counter.”

Mr Tony Woodward also remembered the Barley Mow: “it was a quaint, hole-in-corner, old fashioned kind of pub with only one window on the street as far as I can remember. It was almost next door to the Three Compasses.” 

The Barley Mow closed in 1954. For many years the premises became the hairdressing salon of Maurice Dyus. It became the offices of John D. Wood, Valuers & Auctioneers and is known as the Old Barley Mow.


The old Barley Mow, now H&H, to the left of Somewhere Else (the Three Compasses). Credit I. Graham

Licensing Details:

Owner in 1891:  Cirencester Brewery

Rateable Value in 1891: £16.0s.0d.

Type of license in 1891: Beerhouse

Owner in 1903: Cirencester Brewery

Rateable Value in 1903: £16.0s.0d.

Type of license in 1903: Beerhouse

Closing time in 1903: 11pm


Landlords at the Barley Mow include:

1820, 1830 Edward Perring (Barley Mow Tavern, Park Lane)

1871 George Hinton

1891 Frederick Uzzell

1901 F.W. Bower

1903 Augustus Harman

1913 W. Keylock

1927-1954 Bill Butler (born 1880)

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