The Cock Inn is in Nibley, which is about half a mile to the south west of Blakeney. The listed 16th century coaching inn is on the A48 Gloucester to Chepstow Road at the foot of Nibley Hill.
Gloucester Journal: April 1889 – Littledean Police Court: George Whiting, machinist, was summoned for being drunk at the Cock Inn, at Nibley. PC Baker proved service of the summons, defendant saying it was no use for him to appear as he was drunk. Defendant’s son proved going for his father at the inn, where he found him very drunk, and in bed with his clothes and boots on. Fined 10s and costs.
The annual rateable value of the Cock Inn was £18.0s.0d. in 1891 and 1903 and it closed at 11pm, perhaps unusual considering its rural location.
The Cock Inn has had some interesting brewery owners. In 1891 it was owned by Bailey & Co. Presumably this was the business of R.H. Bailey & Co., of the City Brewery, Quay Street, Gloucester. According to the Brewery History Society (A Century of British Brewers Plus 1890 to 2004) R.H. Bailey & Co were put up for auction on 14th November 1894 with 15 public houses. Perhaps the Cock Inn was the furthest tied house from the Gloucester City Brewery. The City Brewery brewery was bought by Tayler & Co. of Northeach. The pubs were sold piecemeal. R.W. Miller & Co, operating from the Stokes Croft Brewery in Bristol, acquired the Cock Inn. Miller’s beers were quite a rarity in Gloucestershire. It is worth noting that the black and white image of the Cock Inn reproduced below indicates that it was also a free house after the Second World War and had the inviting message ‘All Beers Drawn from The Wood.’
In the 1950’s the Cock Inn was part of the Stroud Brewery Co’s estate and a West Country Ales ‘Best in the West’ ceramic plaque is a reminder that it also had an association with the Cheltenham brewery and hence Whitbread.
The Forester, 26th October 2006 – ‘The review’: Andy and Lezley Jeffs took over Blakeney’s Cock Inn just seven months ago and have turned it into a friendly little eating pub, standing alongside the A48 between Gloucester and Chepstow. the old coaching inn has long had a reputation for its food so The Forester popped in to see if the new landlord and lady are keeping up the good work.
“I have no problem at all recommending a visit to the Cock, perhaps to try out their much more extensive menu which is available through the week and features delights like rabbit pie.”
Opening times – noon-2.30pm Tuesday-Sunday; 6-9pm Tuesday-Saturday
The Forester, 18th September 2008 – ‘Eating out’ review: The Cock Inn is one of those pubs where drinkers and bar staff alike bid you a cheery welcome as you walk through its ancient door. Since escaping London two-and-a-half years ago landlords Andy Jeffs, also the chef, and Lezley Hancock have transformed the pub into a spit and sawdust pub back to its thick stone walls, both upstairs and downstairs.
I recommend the inn for its friendly bonhomie and cosy atmosphere. Yet, while the food is above average pub grub, it is charging gastronomic prices, for which you expect the cuisine to be more artisan and inventive.
Opening times – Tues-Sun, noon-2pm; Tues-Sat 6-9pm.
The Citizen, 1st October 2009 – ‘Eating out’ review, ‘Pub grub worth crowing about’: The Cock Inn is one of the oldest free houses in the area, dating back to 1800 when it used to be a coaching inn. In the last three years, owners Andy and Lesley Jeffs have done their best to raise the bar and get the pub serving up fine pub food. Sitting next to a busy road, there is an opportunity for commuters to have a break and sit in the large beer garden overlooking the stunning views of fields and village hill sides.
As we had never visited the pub before, we did not know what to expect. From the outside the pub is appealing and well-kept, inside was the same, with friendly staff providing a good service and serving real ales, ciders and fine wines.
There was a range of meals to choose from, including red Thai chicken curry, steaks, cheese tortellini and pork belly. The pub emphasised that wherever possible they use the freshest product available and locally sourced.
Opening times: Monday Closed, Tues-Say 2pm-2.30pm and 6pm-9pm. Sunday 12pm-2.30pm.
The Forester, 27th January 2016 – Publicans are Cock-a-hoop: It is a time of celebration for Jane and Steve Crick as the couple marked their first full year as patrons of The Cock Inn, Blakeney. The couple who have been together for fifteen years said that ‘Blakeney has got us for a long while yet’ as they looked back on the successes and challenges of their last twelve months.
“We’ve been very well received by the local people,” says Steve, who had previously worked as a dry cleaner in Guildford, Surrey, for 30 years. “People in the Forest are totally different to people in Guildford. They’re so friendly.” Jane agrees: “We’ve been accepted so well here. Everyone is so accommodating – you help them, they help you.”
This co-operative approach, the pair believe, is what has rendered their time at the inn a success. They have made sure to connect with the local community, which in turn has offered them huge support. Steve explained: “We have tried to put the heart back into the village of Blakeney. We want to make our pub a place people can think of as their own front room, somewhere to socialise.” Jane added: “People have been fantastic especially during the early months of last year while I ran the pub on my own and Steve was still commuting to Guildford.”
During that exhausting period I received a lot of help from residents of the village which is invaluable and got me through, and I’m very grateful.” Jane was the driving force behind the move from South East to the Forest having first entered the hospitality trade at the age of 11, working as a pot washer. She has since been all over the country working in the industry, but it looks like she’s found a place to settle in Blakeney. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying right here in Blakeney,” Jane added.
For now the couple are focused on taking The Cock Inn onwards and upwards. After a great reception to the music at their one-year party courtesy of singer Jane Pearl and her band, they are introducing a regular live event at the end of each month. In addition, the pair will be re establishing a darts team for the locals, as well as holding beer festivals and barbeques in the warmer months.
The Forester, 8th February 2017 – Cock Inn is in the right Location, Location, Location: The Cock Inn in Lydney has always enjoyed a good location on the busy A48. But licensees Jane and Steve Crick were still flabbergasted when ‘Location, Location, Location’ asked if they could film part of the programme from the bar. Presenter Phil Spencer and a crew of about seven duly arrived and spent a morning filming what lasted for about two minutes on screen. The programme was broadcast on Channel 4 last Wednesday, 1st February.
In the Spring of 2019 an application was submitted to Forest of Dean District Council for change of use from public house to residential.
‘Conversion of public house to residential dwelling including internal alterations, alterations to fenestration, the removal of existing car park and erection of a low garden wall with associated landscaping and works. P0091/19/FUL’
The application was objected to by Awre Parish Council and the Forest of Dean Branch for the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).
The main objection was that ‘the application does not adequately justify the loss of the community
facility, neither does it demonstrate that it is no longer commercially viable.’ The application for change of use was withdrawn.
However four years later in the summer of 2023 the application was re-submitted.
P0860/23/FUL – ‘Change of Use and conversion of Public House to Dwelling with associated works.’
Licensing details:
Owner in 1891: Bailey & Co., City Brewery, Quay Street, Gloucester.
Rateable value in 1891: £18.0s.0d.
Type of licence in 1891: Alehouse
Owner in 1903: R.W. Miller & Co., Stokes Croft Brewery, Bristol
Rateable value in 1903: £18.0s.0d.
Type of licence in 1903: Alehouse
Closing time in 1903: 11pm
Landlords at the Cock Inn include:
1856,1885 Thomas Davis
1902 Henry Jones
1903 William H. Jones
1906 William Henry Canter
1919 Charles James
1927,1939 William Buck
1991 Derrick Sandford
2006,2008 Andy Jeffs
2016 Steve and Jane Crick
