Cross Hands / Kilkeney Inn, nr Andoversford GL54 4LN

The Cross Hands was a tied house of Stibbs’ Albion Steam Brewery in Cheltenham before being acquired by the Cheltenham Original Brewery in 1897. The Cross Hands was renamed the Kilkeney Inn many years ago. It is in an isolated spot on the road junction with the A436 and the road to Andoversford. The minor roads to Dowdeswell and Foxcote also deviate away from the pub.

Courtesy David Hanks / Joe Stevens

I can recall drinking in the Kilkeney in the mid 1970’s. The beer on offer was the ubiquitous Whitbread P.A. (West Country Pale Ale). Every other Whitbread pub sold the beer and it was usually avoided in favour of more interesting beers from regional brewers., e.g. Wadworth of Devizes. The P.A. in the Kilkeney was different, however, as it was dispensed from the bar by electric pump rather than the usual handpull.