https://www.thecravenarms.co.uk
The Craven Arms, in the centre of Brockhampton village, is tucked away down a narrow lane and can be quite difficult to find for the first time visitor. The building can be traced back to the sixteenth century, and the interior retains some original features.
The Craven Arms is located within a few yards of the old Brockhampton Brewery – the old Combe’s brewery is easily identifiable as it retains its chimney stack. Surprisingly the Craven Arms was never tied to the Combe’s brewery. The pub sold beer from the Cheltenham Original Brewery. The Craven Arms had a license to sell intoxicating liquor on the premises only. Presumably anyone wanting to take beer home walked around the corner to Combe’s brewery.
Anne Jenkin has done some research into the history of Brockhampton. Of the Craven Arms she writes: “The Craven Arms began its life as a long dwelling house belonging to the Brockhampton Park Estate before being sold to the Craven family who gave it its name and its better known function.”
“I first saw the Craven in 1978 when its transformation had just began. The restaurant was soon added and has increased in popularity over the years.”
When the Campbell family retired from the pub trade in 2004 and put the Craven Arms up for sale there were real fears that it would close for good. Some villagers and pub regulars organised a campaign –LOCAL ‘Leave Our Craven Arms Alone!’ – and a syndicate was drawn up for a potential purchase. However, their intervention was not needed as the Craven Arms passed into the care of the Price family.
This page will be updated with additional information.
Map Reference: SP 035224
Licensing Details:
Owner in 1891: James Walker, Guiting (leased Cheltenham Original Brewery)
Rateable value in 1891: £27.0s.0d.
Type of licence in 1891: Beerhouse
Owner in 1903: James Walker, Guiting (leased Cheltenham Original Brewery)
Rateable value in 1903: £27.0s.0d.
Type of licence in 1903: Beerhouse (on sales only)
Closing time in 1903: 10pm
Landlords at the Craven Arms include:
1851-1879 Isaac Fardon
1881 Harriett A. Fardon (widow)
1891,1903 Fanny Taylor
1912 Charles F. Denley
1931 Ernest Rackham
1939 Peter Wallbank
1987 Christopher Catmull
1988-2004 Dale Campbell
2004, 2010 Robert and Barbara Price
