New Inn, Waterley Bottom, North Nibley GL11 6EF

Waterley Bottom is an isolated hamlet one mile to the east of North Nibley. The New Inn is set in a remote valley with beautiful views of the surrounding hills.

Just over a century ago the New Inn was owned by the Rock Brewery Co. I am not certain where this brewery was located as there are very few other references to it in Gloucestershire. It is a possibility that the Rock Brewery was actually located on the premises of the New Inn – perhaps home-brewed ales were once served there!

In the late 1970’s the New Inn was bought by Ric and Ruby Sainty. Ric introduced some rare beers for Gloucestershire to the pub, including Greene King Abbot Ale. It seems ironic that with Greene King beers now being so widespread in the county beer drinkers would travel far and wide to the New Inn to get a chance to drink the then legendary Abbott Ale. The late and much loved Ric Sainty was later to move to the Old Spot in Dursley where he would gain further recognition for his services for pubs and beer in Gloucestershire. In 1993, with Ruby still serving behind the bar, the New Inn was voted the best real ale pub in the South West of England.

Courtesy Michael Wilkes. Note the ‘Greene King’ sign – when Ric Sainty sold their Abbot Ale at the New Inn the Bury St Edmunds beer was a rarity – how things have changed!

In 1998 an application was made to the planning department at Stroud District Council to convert the building to residential use but, thankfully, this was refused.