Globe Inn, Clanna Lane, Alvington - Glo'shire Pubs & Breweries

The Grade II listed Globe Inn, on the Clanna Lane junction with the main A48, dates from at least 1805 when a Friendly Society is recorded as meeting there. Although free of brewery tie in the 1891 and 1903 licensed premises documents, it appears that the Globe Inn was later acquired by the Bristol United Brewery, a business that was acquired by Georges’ Bristol Brewery in 1956. In 1891 and 1903 the Globe, an alehouse, had an annual rateable value of £189.0s.0d, a considerable amount but the property did include 143 acres of land. Closing time was 10 pm.

The hanging pub sign advertises Bristol United Beers

The entire estate of Alvington, including the Globe, was owned by Daniel Higford Davell Burr. He had inherited the estate in 1836 and in 1849 also purchased the Aldermaston estate in Berkshire. He was elected Conservative MP for Hereford in 1837 and went on to become the High Sheriff of Berkshire in 1851. Daniel Higford Davell Burr was known to be an eccentric and is known to have kept monkeys and snakes.

The Globe Inn. 2006.

The July 1978 edition of ‘Real Ale in Gloucestershire’ describes the Globe as a ‘Comfortable Victorian Pub’ with Whitbread PA and Draught Bitter sold on handpump. Traditional cider was also available. When Tony and Kath Kirkham took over the running of the Globe in 1985, they refurbished the interior to make it more family friendly. The ‘Forest & Wye Review’ noted that the ‘extensive L-shaped lounge has been enhanced with furnishings and decorations which are comfortable without being ostentatious.’ Tony Kirkham told the Review: “We are determined not to destroy the traditional atmosphere of this old pub, but we did want to bring it nicely into the 20^th century.” Beers were supplied by Whitbread Flowers & William Younger & Co. The Globe Inn is listed as a ‘freehouse’ in the CAMRA ‘Pubs in Gloucestershire’ published in 1990.

1985

Forest of Dean & Ross-on-Wye Pubs. A critical guide by Jon Hurley (booklet, 1991): Continuing on the same road [as the Cross at Aylburton] in a southerly direction one can observe this old tarted up boozer standing at right angles to the road. The Globe has undergone a complete re-fit since last I crossed its portals and I am not quite sure of the sort of clientele it is aiming at. There is a juke box where the fireplace used to be and the furnishings are posh and new with a tasteful green material on the seats and wheelback chairs. There a couple of other fireplace openings but neither, (regular fans will notice I do my pub visits in the depths of winter) contained a smiling log fire. There is a short inexpensive menu but there were no diners partaking thereof. There are carpets and beams in the long ‘L’ shaped bar, the beer included Tartan and Flowers and there were a few prints and a pleasant barmaid. For those who seek peace and tranquillity, this is your place.

When the owner of the Globe Inn applied for planning permission for possible conversion into residential use in August 2008 it was feared that the pub would close forever. The owner reassured the local press that the Globe was “still open for food and drink for the foreseeable future” and dismissed the possible closure as malicious gossips and rumour. When ill health caused landlord George Newman to retire early the Globe Inn went for auction on June 1st 2009 with the asking price dropped from £725,000 to £450,000 in the hopes of generating a quick sale. In his design and access statement submitted to the Forest planners Mr Newman said that “the licensed trade is generally going through uncertain and difficult times with a number of established houses closing or in danger of doing so and the Globe Inn falls into this category. The pub has been marketed for a considerable time and there appears to be no interest in the site being acquired for use as a public house. There are two other public houses in Alvington and it is not therefore considered detrimental to such village amenities for the Globe to be converted into units of accommodation.”

The Globe was still open for business at the end of June 2009 but must have closed soon afterwards. The Globe Inn was put up for auction again on 18th April 2012 with planning consent for the creation of five residential units but with an option of retaining the licence to continue operating as a pub. It was described as an extensive property ‘currently arranged over three floors with numerous trade and residential rooms along with a garden, outbuildings, cellar and parking.’ The guide price at the Public Auction was £175,000 to £200,000.

The future of the Globe as an operational pub was in serious doubt, but fortunately a group of local people purchased the property in 2012. The building then went through a complete renovation and re-opened in 2014. The following is taken from the Globe Inn website:

‘The Globe Inn is a traditional pub and restaurant located in the village of Alvington on the edge of the beautiful Forest of Dean and close to the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We are passionate about good food and we use locally sourced and seasonal produce whenever possible. We also have a good range of cask ales, lagers, ciders and wines. Our relaxing bar and restaurant areas feature oak beams and a log fire. For the summer months we also have a large sunny beer garden. The Globe is now a modern pub which has retained its traditional charm.’