The Rising Sun is a stone-built pub on the western side of Ruspidge Road (B4227), almost directly opposite the New Inn. The earliest reference dates back to 1865. The Nailsworth Brewery owned the Rising Sun in 1891 and 1903. Nailsworth beers were quite a rarity in the Forest of Dean at this time as the only other pub that they owned was the George in Cinderford. It is likely, however, that some free houses in the Forest also sold Nailsworth beer. The annual rateable value of the Rising Sun in 1891 and 1903 was £18.0s.0d. It was licensed as a beer house and closed at 10 pm. The New Inn, just over the road, closed at 11 pm!
Cheltenham Original Brewery amalgamated with the Nailsworth Brewery in 1908 and from that year the Rising Sun sold Cheltenham Ales. It is still possible to decipher the faded painted words ‘Cheltenham Ales’ on the front of the pub between the ground and upper floor windows.
The Butt family had a long association with the Rising Sun. In 1960 a booklet was published by West Country Breweries to celebrate 200 years of brewing at Cheltenham and Stroud. In the booklet were some photographs of some long serving landlords. Mrs Sarah Phelps was said to have been resident at the Rising Sun, Ruspidge, ‘for over 72 years, since 1888’. In 1943 Ann Butt had customers’ beer in the Rising Sun for over 60 years. She said, “I have never had a badly behaved customer, and although I am 93 I can still make sure they continue to behave nicely.”
The Rising Sun later became part of the monopolistic Whitbread estate. In the Cinderford and Ruspidge district there was no escape from Whitbread Trophy and Tankard in the 1970s and 1980’s. After the ‘Beer Orders’ of 1989 the Rising Sun was sold by Whitbread and became a free house.
The Citizen. Wednesday, June 12th, 1991 – Pubs for sale. Six more pubs have been added to the Whitbread brewery for sale list. The pubs are being sold in response to Government requirements following the monopolies and mergers commission report. Whitbread have named the following Gloucestershire pubs which will be sold: Duke of York, Chalford Hill, Stroud; New Red Lion, Chalford Stroud; Plough Inn, Corse Lawn, Staunton; Rising Sun, Ruspidge; Royal Foresters, Littledean Hill, Cinderford; Yeoman Hotel, Southgate Street, Gloucester.
The pub was put up for sale in August 2006 with an asking price in excess of £300,000. The property included a main bar, sports bar, kitchen, extensive cellar area, beer garden and patio with extensive views of the valley and the Forest, and excellent four-bedroom private accommodation. Owner Geoff Upson decided to put the Rising Sun on the market to review his options but said that he had enjoyed his time there. He said, “I thoroughly enjoy the feeling of community here and there has been great support when I have held charity auctions.” A spokesman from the commercial property agents said, “This represents a superb opportunity to acquire a busy and well-presented free house close to the beautiful Forest of Dean. It would ideally suit a husband and wife team working together without the need to employ additional staff. The pub enjoys a healthy turnover and good profits.”
Forest of Dean District Council granted permission in November 2014 for change of use of the Rising Sun to a fish and chip takeaway and restaurant. The bar area of the pub was to become the takeaway area, with a wall to separate it from the restaurant. A new entrance to the premises was to be made through an existing window. Geoff Upson said, “As the premises owner I want to wish everyone associated with this project every success in the future. I hope the local community will welcome and support this exciting new venture and recognise it as a valuable additional facility for the residents of Ruspidge and Soudley. It is good to see this historical building open for business again providing a quality food and drink offering.”
The Lord Mayor of Cinderford, Max Coburn, officially opened the ‘Rising Sun Inn and the Ruspidge Fish & Chip Shop’ in March 2015.
Landlords at the Rising Sun include:
1879 Thomas Guest
1885,1896 Thomas Butt (Thomas was born in Churchdown in 1837. He died in 1896)
1896,1939 Mrs Ann Butt (nee Ann Mortimer. Born 1845. Married Thomas Butt in 1866)
1960 Mrs Sarah Phelps. (Born 1888 – the youngest of Thomas and Ann’s 11 children!)
- Eddie and Mary Phelps
2002,2006 Geoff and Lydia Upson
