The Britannia Inn is an early 18th century Cotswold stone inn.
The New Stroud Directory published in 1909 included the following advertisement:
‘Britannia Inn, Nailsworth. H.H. Smith, begs to inform his old customers and the public generally that a full license has now been granted to the above inn, and that he is now in a position to supply wines and spirits of the same good quality as during the fourteen years tenancy of the New Inn. Good stabling, large spare ground standings, etc, loose boxes. Excellent accommodation for footballers.’
The Citizen: Thursday 19th November, 1987 – Russian pubs facelift: A Nailsworth pub once used as a workshop for Russian prisoners from the Crimean war has reopened after a £90,000 facelift. Two bars at the Britannia Inn in Cossack Square have been converted into one with a new servery, games area and kitchen. Mr Roger Francis, Whitbread Flowers’ tenanted trade director, officially reopened the premises, shut for the past two months. He said improvements were part of an on-going programme to meet customer’s demands for better standards and added, “I hope we have given the people of Nailsworth a pub to be proud of.”
In the 17th century the Britannia was a workshop for the Russian prisoners who spent their days making tallow candles. “A house across the way was the prison itself and the inmates were marched to and fro each day. We think this is how the name Cossack Square originated,” said a company spokesman.
Sheena Moulder (20), of Bunting Hill, Forest Green, made a surprise appearance as a kissogram girl. “We could not find a Cossack girl and she more than made up for any disappointment,” said landlord Mr Roy Sparry.
Nick Beardsley and Christophe Coquoin (see Fleece Inn, Woodchester) acquired the Britannia Inn in 1999. A quarter of a million pounds was invested in the redevelopment and it opened for business on 15th August 1999. The interior of the pub was stripped back to the original Cotswold stone walls and the old slate floors were uncovered.
This page will be updated with additional information.
Map Reference: ST849994
Licensing Details:
Owner in 1891: Nailsworth Brewery
Rateable value in 1891: £16.0s.0d.
Type of licence in 1891: Beerhouse
Owner in 1903: Nailsworth Brewery
Rateable value in 1903: £16.0s.0d.
Type of licence in 1903: Beer and Cider
Closing time in 1903: 11pm
Landlords at the Britannia Inn include:
1891 William Davis
1903 Philip Harman
1909,1919 Herbert Smith
1927 H.H. Smith
1939 A.G. Ursell
1950’s Jim Humphries
c1980 David and Margaret May
1987 Roy Sperry
1998 Julie and David ?
1999 Nicky Huxford (general manager)
1999,2009 Nick Beardsley and Christophe Coquoin (Food Club)
