Masons Arms (Highwayman Inn) GL53 9PL
As early as 1781 there was an inn near the turnpike booth on the Gloucester – Cirencester Road called the Huntsman & Hounds. The name had changed to the Masons Arms by 1856 and remained trading under that name until c1960.
Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, Saturday 14th October 1854 – To Be Let: An excellent free public house known by the name of the Masons Arms, Beech Pike, in the Parish of Winstone, and also about Three Acres of Grass Land adjoining. Attached to the inn there is a good bakehouse, and the premises are well adapted for a baker or dealer. For particulars apply to the proprietor, Mr Thomas Lane, Cirencester.
Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, Saturday 19th November 1870 – Notice: Unless Mr Richards, Photographer, pay the debt due to me from him, for Board and Lodging at the Masons Arms, Beech Pike, before the 21st November, 1870, his mute, trap, and harness, etc, will be on that day sold by public auction, in the Market Place, Cirencester, to pay the said debt and expenses. Henry Gale, Beech Pike, near Cirencester. 15th November 1870.
Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, Saturday 17th April 1886 – Hold-Over: The hold-over of the license of the Masons Arms Inn, Beech Pike, was granted from the owner, Mr J.P. Pope, to Mr J.Butt, who has been managing the house.
The Cirencester Brewery bought the Masons Arms on 30th May 1919 with ‘Cottage and Land’. When it was restored and enlarged to incorporate the out-buildings the name was changed to the Highwayman Inn.
The pub, which is reputedly haunted, has been a tied house of Arkell’s Kingsdown Brewery, Swindon for many years. Until the acquisition of pubs in Gloucester and Cheltenham in the early 1990’s the Highwayman Inn was the only outlet for Arkell’s beers west of Cirencester.
Map reference: SO 965107
https://www.thehighwaymanpub.co.uk/
Licensing Details:
Owner in 1891: Thomas Dunn., Esq. (free from brewery tie)
Rateable value in 1891: £10.6s.0d.
Type of licence in 1891: Alehouse
Owner in 1903: C.F. Greathead, Esq. (free from brewery tie)
Rateable value in 1903: £12.16s.0d.
Type of licence in 1903: Alehouse
Closing time in 1903: 10pm
Owner in 1919: Cirencester Brewery
Landlords at the Masons Arms / Highwayman Inn include:
1854 Thomas Lane
1856 H. Haveland
1870 Henry Gale
1879 (Dec) ‘The license of the Masons Arms, Beech Pike, was transferred from Mr Henry Merchant to Mr Richard Moss’
1882 Richard Moss (convicted for misconduct of the Masons Arms in Sept)
1883 Edward Samuel Gibbins (was charged with allowing liquor to be consumed on his premises during prohibed hours)
1885 Thomas Butt (owner Mr J.P. Pope)
1891,1906 James Butt
1913 Sarah Butt
1919,1939 Charles Wyndham Lusty (on active service in Feb. 1919)
1946 (Jan) ‘The license of the Masons Arms Inn, Beech Pike, was transferred from Charles William Lusty to William Charles Henry Edwards’
1949 Charles Henry Edwards
1983 David Butcher
1992,1998 Jim and Karen Clark
2001,2003 David and Ann Fearn
2004,2008 Michael John and Samantha Flynn
2011 Mark Turner