The pub was built c.1860.
Francis Wintle’s Forest Brewery in Mitcheldean owned the Miners Inn in 1891 and 1903. The premises was listed as a beer house with an annual rateable value of £12.0s.0d. Closing time each night was at 10 pm. Richard Nash was the landlord.
In Heather Hurley’s book ‘The Pubs of the Royal Forest of Dean’ (Logaston Press) there is an inventory of the sale of the Miners Inn in 1937. It reads:
“All that messuage or Inn known as the Miners inn situate at Clements End Green West Dean near Coleford in the County of Gloucester and all outbuildings and appurtenances thereunto belonging comprising small garden in front closet stabling outhouses etc., and all other outbuildings and appurtenances thereunto belonging together with the site thereof and the land occupied therewith which said premises are now in the occupation of D.A. white as tenant.”
Gloucester Journal, Saturday 27th April 1912 – Bream Infant’s Terrible End: At the Miners Arms Inn, Clements End, near Bream, on Tuesday, Dr McCartney, the Coroner, inquired into the circumstances attending the death of Reginald Leslie Smith, the two year old of Arthur Smith, of Marsh Lane, Clements End. The child was seen on Monday at noon playing with other young children near its home. A few minutes later the child fell into a well upon the open forest belonging to West Dean Rural District Council. It was immediately taken out of the water, but was found to be dead. On examination it was discovered there was a slight bruise of the left side of the forehead, probably caused by coming into contact with the stonework of the well. Several jurymen expressed the opinion that the well was dangerous, and ought to be repaired. – A verdict that the child died from concussion of the brain and shock through accidentally fallling into the well was returned.
March 1930 – For Sale. Pedigree Clumber Spaniel Puppy: 6 months, perfect specimen, parents both field trail and show-bench winners, strong, healthy, will make winner. Price £4.4s.0d. – Mrs D. White, The Miners Inn, Clements End, Coleford.
Lydney Observer, Friday 13th July 1979 – Cowboys at Clements End: A barbeque organised by Mr Alan Hill, of the Miners Inn, Clements End, on Wednesday of last week, which was well attended, made a profit of £53.82, £30 going to Lydney Hospital and the balance to the Guide Dogs for the Blind campaign. The event, which was most enjoyable, included a Kentucky Derby and horseshoe throwing. The barbeque cooking was done in American style by Mr and Mrs Crawshaw, who will shortly be returning to the United States and a discotheque was in the charge of Mr Gareth Jones.
The Miners Inn changed its name to the Montague Inn back in 1982 so that it would not be confused with the Miners Arms at nearby Sling.
Forest of Dean and Ross-on-Wye Pubs. A critical guide by Jon Hurley (booklet, 1991): This one is absolutely worth stumbling if you are respectable. middle aged and you regard the comforts of life as important. The Montague is white-washed and outwardly an anonymously little pub with a couple of bars and a small dining room. Very quiet with no irritating gadgetry, pool tables or pregnant men lumbering up to the oche to spear you with an arrow. The bar menu is very adequate with lots of basket things as well as fish and chips, and a tempting array of puddings. There is also far more comprehensive dining room fare and a wine list from which the cautious can choose a winner. The ladies who staff it are pleasant and cordial and their Special Coffee is worth a try. Outside as one ambles to the car a brief glance of the view is recommended.
An application was submitted in April 2009 to Forest of Dean District Council for permission to alter and extend the public house to include Bed & Breakfast accommodation as well as a smoking shelter.
An ‘eating out’ review in the local newspapers dated 17th December 2009 reported that the Montague Inn was ‘a far cry from what it used to be. The pub has undergone a complete makeover in the last nine months, with the décor being a top priority.’ The article continued, ‘New owners Cran and Susan have worked hard to turn this once tired looking inn into a fresh and up-to-date place to relax with friends.’
The Montague Inn closed in 2015. The building is now in residential use and has been extended.
Landlords at the Miners Inn /Montague Inn include:
1891,1903 Richard Nash (25th November 1903 ‘Transfer of the licence from Richard Nash to William Adams)
1903,1910 William Adams
1930 Mrs D. White
1946 Violet May Ash (divorced from her husband Frederick Stanley George Ash in May)
1976 Peter George Hobson (Transfer May 1976)
1977 Clive Allen (he bought the pub from Whitbread in April 1977)
1982 Tony and Eileen Osborne
1998, 2002 David and Jenny Chapman (Montague Inn)
2007 Steve and Carol Leeks
2009 Cran and Susan Jones