The Point Inn was situated about one mile from Mitcheldean on very high ground and commanded magnificent views over the Severn Valley. The earliest reference is from 1857 when the inn was known as the Miners Arms and was the meeting place of a Friendly Society with 130 members. When Mr G Hobbs took on the tenancy c1863 the name had changed to the Point Inn.
In 1884 there was a skirmish between Morris dancing sides from Ruardean and Mitcheldean meeting at the Point Inn. It is said that an argument between the two sides started following a dispute on who had the right to dance there. During the fight a dancer fell to his death down a well. Was it an accident or was he deliberately pushed? After the incident Morris dancing is said to have faded out in the Forest.
The licensing books of 1891 and 1903 give detail that the Point Inn, an ale house, was free of brewery tie and had an annual rateable value of £25.5s.0d. Caroline Mason was the owner in 1891 and Samuel Harris in 1903. Closing time was at 10 pm.
The Point Inn was then acquired by Francis Wintle’s Forest Brewery in Mitcheldean. In 1923 the brewery and the property estate were put up for auction. The Point Inn was described as being ‘substantially built with rough cast front and slate roof. On the ground floor there were two bars, a smoke room, sitting room and kitchen together with two beer stores, coal and other stores, coach-house and a small yard with a well. On the first floor there were four bedrooms, sitting room, store-room and a large club room. Outside the Point Inn was a two-stall stable, pig cots, urinal, etc and to the rear ‘a good garden and meadow, in all about two acres’. The sale particulars went on to say that ‘the property is of freehold tenure and let to Mrs Mary Grimshaw, a tenant of about 27 years’ standing on quarterly tenancy, at total rents of £32 per annum.’
The Point Inn was demolished in January 1971 to facilitate road improvements on the A4136.
Landlords at the Point Inn include:
1863 Mr G. Hobbs
1885 William Richard Hopkins
1891 W. Woodward
1902, 1906 Peter Grimshaw
1919,1923 Mrs Mary Grimshaw
1927 Miss Beatrice Mary Hopkinson
1939 Ronald George Meek
1969 Gwen May Long
