The Kings Arms is now a private house, appropriately called the Old Kings Arms. Apart from the name there is nothing to indicate that the building was once a public house. It is located in Ellerncroft Road, near Dryleaze, just off Bradley Street.
The Kings Arms closed in 1971. It is said that the interior was totally unspoilt and had no bar as such – beers were served through a serving hatch. Apparently, In the garden was a fishpond that unsuspecting drinkers regularly fell into.
Bristol Times and Mirror, Saturday 17th May 1873 – Suicide at Wotton-under-Edge: Mr Gaisford held an inquest at the Kings Arms inn, Wotton, on Thursday, into the cause of death of William Hulence, aged 48, a labourer, who was in the employ of Messrs. Perrett at Bournstream.
On Wednesday morning, the deceased was working in the garden of Mr Absalom Perrett and about noon he was seen by a neighbour walking along the road holding a handkerchief to his throat. Seeing blood she asked him if his nose bled; he moved his head slowly but did not speak. A little further on, one of Messrs. Perretts men, named Hardwick, saw the deceased staggering, and moving his hand away noticed a great gash in his throat. He took a horse and went for Mr Bullock, surgeon, who on reaching the deceased found that he had been dead ten minutes. There was a deep, clean incised wound in the throat, as though it had been done by a sharp instrument; it was from left to right, and was likely to have been self inflicted; there had been a great loss of blood. The whole of the vessels in the front of the throat and the windpipe was severed. In the left-pocket of the deceased’s trousers was found a clasp-knive smeared with blood, and at the top of Mr. Perrett’s garden was a pool of blood, this being no doubt the spot where the deceased cut his throat, drops of blood being traceable to the road and along to the spot where he was seen to stagger.
Mrs Hulence, widow of deceased, said about 20 years ago he met with an accident to his head, since which time he has been at times – especially in the Spring – peculiar in his ways, and indeed had been for some time under restraint. Recently he had lost a good situation through speaking hastily, and this seemed to prey on his mind; but did not appear worse that morning than usual, when he left, kissing her and wishing her goodbye” as was his habit.
The jury returned a verdict of “Suicide while in an unsound state of mind.”
Stroud Journal, Saturday 19th June 1880 – Suicide: An inquest was held on Saturday at the Kings Arms Inn, Wotton-under-Edge, on the body of Daniel Workman, 24, labourer, who committed suicide on the previous day by cutting his throat. He had cut his throat with an old knife, and was quite dead. A verdict of temporary insanity was returned. The deceased was a widower, and leaves one child.
Gloucester Citizen, Wednesday 1st May 1889 – Fatal Accident: Dr. E.M. Grace held an inquest on Tuesday morning, at the Kings Arms Inn, Wotton-under-Edge, on the body of Thomas Stephen James, who was fatally injured by falling from a cart at Cromhall on 25th April. From the evidence it appeared that deceased in getting out of a cart fell backwards and received such injuries as to cause his death. A verdict of accidental death was returned, the jury giving their fees to the widow.
Bristol Mercury, Saturday 27th July 1889 – Wotton-under-Edge Police Court: Alfred Organ, of North Nibley, was fined 1s.6d. and 6s.6d. costs for being drunk and refusing to quit the Kings Arms, Wotton on the 13th inst.
Gloucester Citizen, Wednesday 2nd March 1910 – Wotton-under-Edge Central Quoit Club: At a meeting of the Central Quoit Club, it was decided to continue, with the headquarters at the Kings Arms.
Western Daily Press, Tuesday 5th November 1940 – Patriotic Pals at Wotton: A general meeting of the Patriotic Pals took place at the Kings Arms, Wotton-under-Edge when Mr. Fred Bennett presided over a good attendance. The county secretary referred to the loss the local branch had sustained through the accidental death of Brother W. Wheeler. The balance sheet showed a fair balance in hand.
Mr James (secretary) introduced the new members, and he made an appeal to every individual member to join some form of the local voluntary services, he was pleased to say that about 79 per cent were already so engaged.
Western Daily Press, 27th December 1939: The death has occurred at Wotton-under-Edge of Mr Alfred May (78), who had been the licensee of the Kings Arms, Bradley Street, for 48 years. He suceeded his father; the licence has been held by the family for close upon 80 years. Mr May was born in India, where his father was serving as a soldier. He was only three, however, when the family returned to England.
The Rev. R.J. Mansfield (curate) officiated the funeral at Wotton parish church and cemetery. Several local licensees attended, as well asMr Drumgold, representing the Stroud Brewery Co., Ltd.
Licensing Details:
Owner in 1891: Charles Richard Luce, Malmesbury Brewery
Rateable Value in 1891: £10.10s.0d.
Type of licence in 1891: Alehouse
Owner in 1903: Charles Richard Luce, Malmesbury Brewery
Rateable Value in 1903: £12.0s.0d.
Type of licence in 1903: Alehouse
Closing time in 1903: 11pm
Present Status: Private house
Landlords of the Kings Arms include:
1820.1823 Isaac James
1830 Samuel White
1842 William Harris
1849,1856 R. Harris
1863,1867 Robert Harris
1875,1891,1899,1903 John May (aged 48 in 1875)
1891 – 1939 Alfred May
- Dougie Bowden (the last landlord – moved to the Royal Oak in Cromhall)