Bell Inn, Bristol Road, Cambridge GL2 7BD

The Bell Inn closed in 1914, when the licence was not renewed. It is now a six-bedroom luxury detached house with feature stone mullion windows. In 2024 it was for sale with an asking price of £550,000.

Hereford Journal, Wednesday 13th August 1845 – Sparrow Slaughter: The members of the Slimbridge Sparrow Club dined together at the Bell Inn, Cambridge, Gloucestershire, on the 1st instant, when Mr. Alfred King, the champion competitor, presided with much spirit at a capital dinner, and over a very good-humoured company. It appeared by the secretary’s report, that trophies of sparrows’ heads had been brought in during the year by Mr. Alfred King 4186, Mr. Robert Harding 3179, Mr. Richard French 1741, and Mr. Henry French 1660. Th quantity of grain which would would have been devoured by these birds at this season is immense, and much as we are inclined to lean to the side of mercy, it may be questioned whether any amount of insects destroyed by sparrows at all compensates for the immense loss of human food accassioned by them.

Glos Chronicle 11th August 1849:

James Rees Lord, 16, and Joseph French Mabbett, 16, were indicted for stealing a half-crown, two four-penny pieces, and a knife from John Bentley, at Slimbridge, on the 4th of July.
 
John Bentley stated that on the 4th of July he was at the Bell Inn, Slimbridge; Lord was also there. They tossed for some victuals and drink, and he paid for it with some money which he took out of his pocket. He had 12s 8d. in his pocket at that time in silver. Lord saw him counting his money. Mabbett was outside the house. In the evening, the prosecutor and prisoners left Slimbridge, proceeding in the direction of Berkeley, and, while on the road, Lord persuaded him to lay down by the side of a hayrick. Here they lay together for some time, and on waking up at the end of two hours, he found that his money and his knife had been stolen from him, and that Lord and Mabbett were gone. The prosecutor returned to Slimbridge, where he again met the prisoners and had some drink with them. The next day he gave information to the police.
 
P.C. Dutton stated that he apprehended the prisoner Mabbett on the 5th of July and took him to Slimbridge. He afterwards fetched Lord to him. Mabbett said “He could see he was let into a secret; it was Lord that had stolen the money, and gave him part of it, and also a knife which he had thrown away.” He afterwards took the witness to a hedge and handed out the knife and gave it to him. Lord also gave the witness a half-crown, which he took from under the tiles of an outhouse at his grandmother’s. A four-penny piece was also found on one of the prisoners.
 
Both the lads were found guilty, and were sentenced – Mabbett (having been previously convicted) to six months imprisonment, and Lord to three months imprisonment.
 
The above research and information kindly submitted by Dr Martyn Beaufort.

Stroud News and Gloucestershire Advertiser, Friday 14th March 1873: Sale of free full-licensed public house, garden and orchard. Humpreys and Sons will sell by auction at the White Lion Hotel, Cambridge, on Wednesday, March the 19th, 1873, subject to conditions of sale, precisely at four in the afternoon, the full-licensed public house, known as the “BELL INN”, situated at Cambridge. The house comprises bar, smoking room, general shop, kitchen, back kitchen, and two cellars; with four bed chambers, and two attics over; attached to which is stable, brewhouse, yards, appurtenances, large garden, and pasture orchard, the whole containing about one acre and a quarter, now in the occupation of Mr. Charles Kingscote.

The property is well sitauted for business at the junction of the turnpike roads leading from Gloucester to Bristol, Berkeley, and Dursley; one mile from the Midland Coaley Junction Station; and bounded by lands on each side of John Leonard, Esq., and John Hopton Esq. To view apply to the tenant; and for all further particulars, to Messrs. Ellis and Sheppard, Solicitors, Gloucester; or to the Auctioneers, 12 Rowcroft, Stroud.

Map Reference: SO 748035

Licensing Details:

Rateable Value in 1891: £14.10s.0d.

Type of licence in 1891: Alehouse

Owner in 1891: Godsell & Sons, Salmon Springs Brewery, Stroud

Rateable Value in 1903: £14.0s.0d.

Type of licence in 1903: Alehouse

Owner in 1903: Godsell & Sons, Salmon Springs Brewery, Stroud

Closing time in 1903:  10pm

Landlords at the Bell Inn include:

1830 William Orchard

1856 W. Savage

1885 Hy. Edmunds

1891,1906 Henry Edmonds

 

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