The Kings Head, on the B4073 Gloucester – Painswick road, dates back to the early 1800’s. (the deeds of sale were on display in the pub in 1999). The Nailsworth Brewery once owned the Kings Head. It must have been one of their furthest pubs from Nailsworth, being some 11 miles from the brewery – a long trip for the dray horses. When the Nailsworth Brewery amalgamated with Cheltenham Original Brewery in 1908 the Kings Head was supplied with Cheltenham beer.
The Kings Head was originally a brick built twin gabled building with a central porch. Over the years it has been massively enlarged, including a front extension, which almost obscures the original lineage of the pub. Greene King, the Suffolk Brewers, now own the Kings Head.
The Citizen: Thursday, 10th November 1988 – Pub gets a ‘royal’ send-off: A ‘Royal’ seal of approval will be granted to the Kings Head public house at Upton St Leonards when it re-opens next Wednesday. Licensees Steve and Sue Carter are to become King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn for the day to recreate their majesties’ visit to the village in 1535. At mid-day the ‘royal couple’ will proceed on horseback up Gloucester Road to the Whitbread Severn Inns pub accompanied by medieval minstrels. King Henry’s only visit to the area was made during an epidemic in London and included a stay in the nearby manor at Prinknash Park where he went fishing. The pub is named after the King and he is featured on the pub sign. It even carries a rhyme written by local poet E. Berryman in 1954 which tells of the visit. The inn, closed since September, has been completely refurbished and opened-up to form one large lounge bar, doubling the original space. Food will feature very strongly at lunchtimes with traditional dishes a speciality. Landlady Sue will be helped by cook Anne Gardner and assistant Elizabeth Groves in the new up-to-the-minute kitchen. Other facilities include a garden with patio and a large car park. Steve & Sue have been at the Kings Head since February, after keeping a pub in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Map Reference: SO 860145
This page will be updated with additional information.
https://www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk/pubs/gloucestershire/kings-head/
Licensing Details:
Type of licence in 1891: Alehouse
Owner in 1891: Holmes, Apperley & Neame
Rateable Value in 1903: £38.0s.0d.
Type of licence in 1903: Alehouse
Owner in 1903: Nailsworth Brewery
Closing time in 1903: 10pm
Owner in July 2004: Greene King
Landlords at the Kings Head include:
1856 W. Clark
1885 Thomas Haughton
1891 William Turner
1897,1903 William Thomas Miles
1906 Albert James Philips
1919,1927 Mrs Ellen Phillips
1936,1957 William Bayliss
1974 John Mann
1988 Steve & Sue Carter
1997 Tina Gregory (manager)
1999 Christopher Franklin and Tina Gregory
2006 Tina Gregory
