The Rose and Crown, and the entire village of Nymspfield, was once [or still is] part of the extensive Woodchester estate. The grounds were purchased by the Ducie family in 1631 who then developed the park over the next two centuries. In June 1843 Lord Ducie put the estate up for sale including sixty-six houses and the ‘Ducie Arms’ in the village of Nympsfield. As can be seen below the inn was known as the Rose and Crown in 1744, but for a period of 18 years or so from the above reference to 1861 it was known as the Ducie Arms.
Above: Gloucester Journal, 25th September 1744. Note the reference to a brewhouse.
‘Last orders’ were called at the pub early in 2023. Nympsfield Community Pub Limited was incorporated in April 2024 as a community benefit society to acquire the Rose & Crown as a community-owned pub for the benefit of the community.
An advertisement in Symonds 1907 directory reads:
‘First class house for boarding residents in the most picturesque part of Gloucestershire. Excellent catering and capital accommodation for visitors, picnic parties, cyclists, etc. An ideal spot to spend a weekend. Good stabling. Prop. J. Ford.’
Gloucestershire Chronicle, Saturday 12th January 1907: Frederick Fisher, sawyer, of Nympsfield, was charged with being drunk on licensed premises at the Rose and Crown Inn, Nympsfield, on 22nd December. Mr Wansborough, solicitor, Bristol, appeared for the defence. Two police witnesses gave evidence to the effect that they called the licensee’s attention to defendant’s condition, and he was so drunk that he had to be assisted home by two men. Eight witnesses were called to give rebutting evidence, and these included the licensee, Rowland Ford (who has only held the license about six weeks), who said that defendant was only supplied with one pint of beer while at the inn. The bench found defendant guilty, and fined him 2s.6d.
The Stroud Brewery had an inventory of all their property in 1928 and the Rose & Crown was listed as having 13a.2r.0p. of land.
Gloucester Citizen, Monday August 2nd 1982 – Death of local licensee: A local licensee died suddenly at the weekend, only hours after returning from a holiday in Paington. Mr George Hanney (61) had been landlord of the Rose and Crown, Nympsfield, for the past 12 years. He had been in the licensed trade for 20 years and previously kept the Old Crown, Uley – the village where he was born.
Before taking a pub he was a pattern maker at the Lister engineering factory in Dursley. In his younger days he played soccer for the town. Mr Hanney is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.
Western Daily Press, Thursday 27th June 1985 – Village becomes Ambridge for a day: The 1,000 year-old Cotswold village of Nympsfield will become the real life setting for the world’s longest running soap opera next week. On 6th July, the 400 villagers will wake up to find themselves in Ambridge – home of the Archers. Nympsfield post office will become Ambridge Stores and the village’s 300-year-old pub, the Rose and Crown, will become The Bull, with a specially painted Whitbread sign.
Above: ‘Real Ale in Gloucestershire’, CAMRA 1996.
Gloucestershire Echo, Tuesday 6th April 1999 – Pub deal could be part of chain: An extremely popular Cotswold pub, the picturesque Rose and Crown Inn at Nympsfield, near Nailsworth, has been sold. The sale was handled by the Cirencester office of national hotel and licensed property agents Robert Barry & Co. A spokesman for the agents, said he could not disclose the sale price, but it is thought to be substantial.
The new owner of the pub is Red Rose Taverns Ltd, a company formed by Tony Sanders and Richard Bourton. They were founding directors of Mercury Taverns, which they sold to Pubmaster last June. Joining them at Red Rose Taverns is Andrew Johnson, of Bibury Court, Bibury, one of the Cotswolds’ best-known country house hotels. The plan is for Red Rose Taverns to acquire more food-led family destination outlets in the Cotswold area.
Stroud Journal, 14th May 2003 – Crowning glory for pub: The Automobile Association has awarded its prized three crowns to the Rose and Crown at Nympsfield. Owners Joe and Sharon Stocks, who came to look after the 400-year-old pub four months ago, loved it so much they bought it. “The award is an important step towards our ambition – we want to make an old coaching inn into the quintessential English pub,” said Sharon.
Since December when she arrived log fires have made the long bar warm and inviting and next month 36 hanging baskets planted with flowers will arrive to bring a massive splash of summer colour to the grey stone facade.
Stroud News, 18th February 2009 – Village pub falls victim to recession. By Ben Falconer (edit): Licensee Darren Gadd has been forced to close his pub because of the credit crunch. He says the Rose and Crown in Nympsfield has shut because it was not financially viable. Darren has pulled out now before going into debt. He has handed back the keys to the pub’s owners Red Rose Taverns.
Villagers were concerned by the sudden closure of the 400-year-old coaching inn when they saw a sign in the window saying it was ‘closed for refurbishment’ and they heard the lease was for sale.
“The Rose and Crown is closed because we can’t afford to keep it open due to the recession,” said Darren. “Due to price increases of gas, electricity and food we simply could not afford to keep it going without going into debt.”
Mr Gadd and his family turned around the fortunes of the pub when they took over around four years ago. Nympsfield Parish Council chairman, David Arnold, said: “We’re hoping it will reopen soon. It’s an important part of the village. The Gadds ran it nicely, they did a good job.”
Red Rose Taverns is not selling the pub but has advertised that the lease is for sale with a £169,000 asking price. The advert says it has a turnover of £640,000, making a profit of £130,000.
Stroud Life, Wednesday 19th August 2009 – Pub review by Ben Falconer (edit): Earlier this year when the Rose and Crown at Nympsfield shut down, the 400-year-old coaching inn’s future looked shaky. Thankfully Allison Neave took up the reins, and judging by our experience, it’s in very safe hands. You can eat in the bar or the restaurant but the menu is the same, and the restaurant is well furnished and comfy. The Rose and Crown has not lost its identity as a local drinker though, with a public bar where many locals pop in.
Stroud News & Journal – Small fire at pub: A woman was taken to hospital after a fire at the Rose and Crown, Nympsfield early on Monday morning 23rd August 2010. Fire crews were called to the pub at 4.30am and extinguished the small fire around 5.30am.
Stroud News & Journal, 8th January 2014 – Plans for homes at pub put forward: Plans have been submitted for five dwellings at the rear of the Rose and Crown in Nympsfield in a bid to generate funding for a refurbishment of the pub.
In a planning statement submitted to Stroud District Council, Red Rose Developments said: “The Rose and Crown is in desperate need of investment, maintenance and in some places essential repair which is absolutely necessary if the village is to retain a good pub. The Grade II listed building brings with it considerable maintenance costs and it is necessary to look for additional sources of funding to secure the long-term future of this valuable community asset”
The Gazette, 1st May 2014 – Pub is staying open despite tenants going: The Rose and Crown in Nympsfield is open for business although the current tenants are planning to leave the sector due to family illness. Ben Guire, current tenant of the Rose and Crown, said: “We have enjoyed our time and the pub has become a real part of the village.”
Colliers International Hotels, who let the popular pub six months ago, have been called back to find new tenants.
In 2010, the Red Rose Taverns group took on the pub after the former landlord experienced financial difficulties. A spokesman for Red Rose Taverns said: “Mary and Ben Guire have had a fantastic six months. The Rose and Crown will always be there, it has over the years been a very good pub.”
Stroud Times (on line), 29th June 2023 – Popular pub up for sale by Matt Bigwood.
The Rose and Crown, a character Grade II listed inn is on the market for offers around £450,000. The business is currently not trading, and Colliers has been appointed on the sale on behalf of the owners.
Having been a pub since the mid-1800s the Rose and Crown has a cosy bar area which seats 36 and has two working fireplaces, alongside stone walls and period features. There is also a restaurant that seats 40, with the former back bar being used as an overflow when needed. Outside there is a considerable amount of space, including a courtyard that can hold 30, alongside a garden at the front which seats 22. A large car park is across the road.
For staying guests there are three modern en-suite letting bedrooms, one with feature bathtub, whilst the owner’s accommodation is a large two-bedroom flat. Peter Brunt in the Hotels Agency team at Colliers, said: “The Rose and Crown has been at the heart of Nympsfield for centuries and we are looking forward to securing a new owner for the next stage of its ownership. Its cosy interiors and great outdoor space have made it firm favourite with locals and there’s scope for the new owner to put their stamp on it.”
Press release; Nympsfield Community Pub, 30th January 2026:
Courtesy Gary Watkins (Facebook post)
https://nympsfieldcommunitypub.co.uk/
Map Reference: SO 801004
Licensing details: (additional information courtesy Bob Woodman)
1613-c1760 Owners – The Bridgeman Family, Lords of Manor of Nympsfield
c1760-1772 Owners – Abraham Chambers, Lord of the Manor, Nympsfield
1772-1843 Owners – Ducie Family. Lords of the Manor of Nympsfield
1845-1873 Owner – Willam Leigh who purchased Woodchester Estate
Rateable Value in 1891: £14.10s.0d.
Owner in 1891: William Leigh of Woodchester Park (free from brewery tie)
Type of licence in 1891: Alehouse
1873-1906 William Leigh inherited Woodchester Estate
Owner in 1903: William Leigh of Woodchester Park (leased to Nailsworth Brewery)
Rateable Value in 1903: £14.10s.0d.
Closing time in 1903: 10pm
1906-1922 Owner – Henry Vincent Leigh (inherited Wodchester Estate)
1922 (Feb) Owner – John Henry Tooley (likely to be a middleman in the purchase of Woodchester Estate.)
Owner 25th March 1922 – Stroud Brewery Company (purchase from J.H. Tooley)
Owner in 1959 – West Countrry Breweries Ltd (merger of Stroud Brewery and Cheltenham & Hereford Breweries)
Owner in 1963 – Whitbread Ltd (acquisition of West Country Breweries)
Owner in 1968 – Whitbread Flowers Ltd. (joining of West Country Ales (Whitbread) and Flowers Brewery, Stratford-on-Avon)
1989 – 26th April 1989. Private purchase of all pub buildings for £250,000 by R.C. and L.J. Woodman.
1991 – 23rd January 1991. Private purchase of land adjoining pub for £10,000 by R.C. and L.J. Woodman.
1999 – 24th March 1999. Purchase of the Rose & Crown for £697,000 by Red Rose Taverns Ltd. Directors A. Sanders, R. Bourton, A. Johnston.
2002 – 21st July 2002. Owners Red Rose Investments (Tamworth) Ltd. Change of name, similiar directors.
2020 – 20th October 2020. Owners Rose & Crown Properties Ltd. Slight change of ownership, similar directors.
2026 – 30th January 2026. Owners Nympsfield Community Pub Ltd. (NCPL). £350,000 purchase of freehold of main pub buildings, excluding stables and side yard.
Landlords at the Ducie Arms / Rose & Crown include:
c.1755-1783 Jonathan Harding (owner Lord Ducie)
1784 Thomas Collins
1793 Thomas Cave
c.1807 Christopher Hawkins
c.1832-c.1838 John Shipton
1841 Thomas Shipton (Ducie Arms)
1847-1859 Edward Witchell (Ducie Arms)
1856-1887 (Feb) Thomas Witchell (Rose and Crown)
1877 (Dec) DEATHS – On 13th December, Edith Witchell (aged 48 years), wife of Thomas Witchell of the Rose & Crown, Nympsfield.
1887 (Feb)-1900 (May) Sarah Bowcher
1900 (May)-1906 (Oct) Percy Witchell (see lengthy article below)
1906 (Nov) ‘Rowland T. Ford applied for a transfer of the Rose and Crown Inn from Percy Witchell. A temporary transfer had been granted to a man named Holloway, who gave up the business, hence the present request, to which the Bench acceded.’
1907(Dec), 1910 Rowland J. Ford (he quit the Rose and Crown in September,1910. He had been convicted for supplying beer on the premises during prohibited hours in May 1910)
1910(Sept)-1917(April) Harry Collins
1917 (April) ‘The licence of the Rose & Crown was transferred from Harry Collins to William Prentice.’
1917(April)-1920(Feb) William Prentice
1920(Feb)-1928(Oct) James Hutchings
1928(Oct)-1932(Oct) Walter Hillier
1932(Oct)-1950(May) Harry Smith
1950(May)-1969 Jason C. Smith
1970-1972 David Wayman
1972-1982(Dec) George Hanney (see above)
1982 (Dec)-1999(April) Robert C Woodman (owner Robert Woodman)
1999(April)-2003 Andrew Johnson & Jason Leeming
2003 Sharon and Joe Stocks
2003,2007 Darren Gadd (Director) wife Rebecca, parents – Clive and Jackie
2009 Allison Neave
2014 Ben Gwyre (he was licensee of the Crown Inn, Uley, for 15 years)
2014 Andy Starling
2017 Mary Clarke (pub manager)
Gloucester Citizen, Wednesday 24th July 1912 – Nympsfield Roman Catholic School – The Recognition Controversy – Board of Education Inquiry:
Mr. F. H. Oates, barrister-at-law, held a Board of Education inquiry at St. Joseph’s Roman Cathclic School, Nympsfield, on Tuesday, into a proposal by Mr. H. V. Leigh and others to provide a new public elementary school for about 75 children at Nympsfield, in the rural district of Dursley, appeals against which had been made to the Board by the Gloucestershire County Council and by more than ten ratepayers in the area.
Mr. H. Le Brasseur, solicitor, Newport (Mon.), appeared in support of the application; Mr, J, Cranstoun, of the Oxford Circuit (instructed by Mr. E. T. Gardom, Clerk to the County Council), represented that body; and Mr G. Trevor Wellington (Messrs, Wellington and Clifford, solicitors, Gloucester) appeared on behalf of the objecting school managers and other ratepayers of Nympsfield. Others present included the Chairman of the County Council (Mr. M. W. Colchester-Wemyss), the Chairman of the Education Committee (Mr. F. A. Hyett), Sir Lionel E, Darell, Bart., Sir William H. Marling, Bart., Col. J, F. Curtis Hayward, Miss Mary Blanche Leigh, Miss Beatrice Leigh, the Very Rev, Canon Lee (who attended in the name Bishop of Clifton), the Rev. A. W. Van Den Bergh (rector of Nympsfield), Messrs. John Sawyer, Teh . Bde ausmarez, R. D. Cumberland- Jones, W. G. Clissold, and E.T. Poulton (the Woodchester Park estate agent).
The room was crowded by villagers throughout the day, and the proceedings evoked very considerable interest, and were at times of an animated description. In opening the case for the promoters, Mr, Le Brasseur explained that it was an application for recognition of the Roman Catholic School which had existed at Nympsfield for about 12 years. 1900 the Church of England School in the parish, and which was now the Council School, had got into a deplorable condition, the attendance having got down almost to nothing. There were great complaints amongst the parents, the bulk of whom were tenants on the estate of Miss Leigh’s family, and they asked Miss Leigh to start a school herself. Miss Leigh sympathised with the request, but she did not feel at that time that she could undertake to do so. Matters, however, got to such a pass that Mr. Elliott, one of H.M. Inspectors, put pressure on Miss Leigh to open another school, and she consented to do so. Miss Leigh was certainly made to believe by what was stated to her that Mr Elliott would do what he could to obtain a Government grant for the new school. Some encouragement was given Miss Leigh which influenced her in starting the school. It was quite true that at a later time, after the Church of England School had been resuscitated and got into good working order, what might on described as a “glacial” period came on; the encouragement given to Miss Leigh was not nearly so strong, and there were certain communications from the Board of Education which on a less strong spirit might certainly have chilled the energy which started the school. It did not, however, have that effect. Miss Leigh’s school was immediately successful, it was attended by children of different denominations, and in February, 1901, it was certified as efficient. The present Roman Catholic School premises were built in 1903, the Leigh family giving the site and finding all the money, and ever since they had maintained the school without assistance from anybody. Every care had been taken that nothing should be done by means of the school to proselytise; and during the Roman Catholic religious exercises the children of other demoninations had been placed in a separate classroom. At a very early stage Miss Leigh offered to the then Rector of Nympsfield—before the time of the present Rector—and also to the minister of another denomination what was known technically as the ‘‘right of entry,’’ to teach their own religious views, but that offer was not accepted.
Mr Le Brasseur went at length into the past and present circumstances of the Roman Catholic School, H.M. Inspector’s reports on which had been excellent from first to last, and stated that plans had been prepared for the enlargement of the school with the object of providing an extra classroom for technical classes. He had Miss Leigh’s authority for saying that if the school were taken over as proposed, she would provide that class-room at her own expense. The cost of maintenance of the school last year was £193 – not including extra subjects which cost from £15 to £18 which was about the average for the whole period. That showed what Miss Leigh and those who were working with her had done for a long period to relieve the rates of the county. He did not, however, make the application on the plea of gratitude to Miss Leigh, but on the ground of justice to herself and her co-religionists. Passing on, he called attention to the conflict of opinion between the Gloucestershire Education Committee and the County Council in reference to the recognition of the school, and suggested that as the Council had delegated their powers in the matter to the Committee (which by a majority had decided not to appeal against the proposed recognition of the school), the Council would have a difficulty with the Government Auditor in reference to the cost incurred in appearing at the inquiry.
Mr. Cranstoun remarked that the County would risk that.
Proceeding. Mr. Le Brasseur went at length into figures with a view of showing that it would cheaper for the Council to take over St. Joseph’s than to alter the premises of the Council School, and said if his calculations were wrong in that respect his clients were prepared to provide and endowment which would make up the deficiency.
Miss Mary Blanche Leigh, of Scar Hill, Woodchester Park, gave evidence at length in support of the application.
In the course of his cross-examination, Mr. Cranstoun read a letter which the Board of Education addressed to Miss Leigh in February, 1903 pointing out that so long as the existing Church of England School was continued another school in the parish was obviously unnecessary, and that no hope could be held out that the school for which Miss Leigh plans could become eligible for Parliamentary grants. The latter went on to state that, subject to fulfilment of the ordinary conditions the school be as a certified efficient school, but the Board thought that before proceeding further in the matter Miss Leigh should fully realise those facts and consider whether the provision of a private school, competing with the existing public elementary school, offered educational advantages such as would justify the expense involved.
Asked if that letter did not convey to her mind that if she proceeded with the school she did so at her own risk, Miss Leigh said she could not call it creditable if a Government department repudiated private people who came to their assistance in the provision and carrying on of a school which was called into existence at the suggestion of H.M. Inspector.
In further cross-examination, Mr. Cranstoun read from Hansard a statement made in the House of Commons in March, 1904. by Sir William Anson, in reply to a question, that the Board of Education and its Inspectors from the outset always made it quite clear to the Managers of St. Joseph’s School that it would not and could not be recognised as a public elementary school, and that the decision of the Board was final.
Mr. Wellingion cross-examined Miss Leigh on the question of a alleged undue influence on parents in the interests of St. Joseph’s School, but she denied that there had been any on her part.
Mr E. T. Poulton, the Woodchester Park estate agent. denied that he had used any influence on anyone to attend St. Joseph’s School.
Mr. Wellington cross-examined Mr. Poulton as to the circumstances in which Mr Percy Witchell, who opposed the claims of the Roman Catholic School, had his tenancy of the Rose and Crown Inn, Nympsfield (which was on the Woodchester Park estate and leased to the Nailsworth Brewery Co.) terminated in 1906. Asked if he sought to get a covenant put in the new lease whereby the proprietors of the Woodchester Park estate could control the tenancy of the Rose and Crown, witness said that offer the tenancy was made bv Mr Swinscow, a director Nailsworth Brewery Co. He (Mr. Poulton) had no desire to get rid of Witchell. and he had received no instructions to that effect from his employer.
Mr. Wellington read a letter dated April, 1906, from Mr. Poulton to Mr. Swinscow, in reference to the new lease, stating that Miss Leigh’s consent was to be obtained previously to the underletting of the inn to future tenants “it being understood that the present tenant is to be given immediate notice to quit.”
Mr. Poulton declared that the Director in question of the Nailsworth Brewery Co. went to him and suggested that the tenant should be dismissed.
A number of parents were called in support of the claims of St. Joseph’s School to recognition, including some non Roman-Catholics.
The evidence for the promoters having closed, Mr. Cranstom submitted that they had no case, the Board of Education having already decided the matter.
The first witness called on behalf of the County Council was Mr. Hyett, who read a letter from Mr. Elliott in which he said there was in October, 1900, a prospect of the Nympsfield Church School being closed , and he accordingly approached Miss Leigh and Mr. Witchell (not the tenant of the Rose and Crown) in order to ascertain whether in the event of this happening it would be possible for the children to be temporarily housed either in the Catholic or in the Wesleyan building. He (Mr. Elliott) explained that in the event of such a course being taken with the approval of the Board the ordinary grant would be paid. The need did not, however, occur, as the Rector immediately after Mr. Elliott’s visit expressed his intention of continuing the Church School. Mr. Hyett proceeded to give detailed evidence in opposition to the present application, and in support of the contention that one school in the parish would upon various grounds be preferable to two small schools.
Mr. Colchester-Wemyss and Mr. John Sawyer (Chairman of the School Attendance Sub-Committee of the Education Committee) gave evidence to the same effect.
Mr. Wellington first called the Rev. A. W. Van Den Bergh. rector of Nympsfield, who said he went round the parish with Sir Ashton Lister in 1909 in reference to allegations of pressure upon certain parents, and he could testify that Sir Ashton correctly represented to the County Council what those parents stated.
Evidence of various ratepayers was called in opposition to there being two State-aided schools in the parish.
John Mills, assistant overseer, baker, etc., Nympsfield, in answer to Mr. Wellington, said he kept away from the 1904 inquiry in reference to the school, but he signed a petition against its recognition. He remembered receiving a communication from Miss Leigh to the effect that if he continued attending the public meetings at the Baptist Chapel she should cease dealing with him. Miss Leigh ceased dealing with him after he had signed the petition.
Miss Leigh protested against the allegation, and Mr. Le Brasseur said she absolutely denied that there was any foundation for it.
Mr. W. E. J. Hallett, private secretary to Sir William Marling, said that about seven years ago he was shown a letter the tenor of which was that if John Mills persisted in attending the meetings at the Baptist Chapel, Miss Leigh would cease to have transactions with him, or words to that effect. Meetings had been the at the Baptist Chapel on the shcool question.
Mr Percy Whitchell of Horsley, brewer’s traveller, and formerly of the Rose and Crown, Nympsfield, said that in 1906 he received notice to leave from the Directors of the Nailsworth Brewery Co., saying that they could not help themselves. Mr. Swinscow told him the Brewery Company could keep the house on condition that he (Mr, Witchell) cleared out. He (Mr. Witchell) was of opinion that if he had been a Catholic he would not have had to leave the inn.
W. G. Clissold, who at the time referred to was Chairman of the Nailsworth Brewery Co.., said the positive cause of Mr Witchell leaving the Rose and Crown was the receiving of the letter from Mr Poulton. Witness formed the opinion that the cause was that Mr Witchell had persistently opposed the pressure that was being brought to bear in Nympsfield to bring everything there under Roman Catholic atmosphere. The Brewery Company found Mr Witchell to be a very satisfactory tenant, and they would not have got rid of him but for Mr Poulton’s letter.
After other witnesses called by Mr, Wellington had been examined, Misss Leigh was re-called in reply to John Mills’ evidence. She said that it having come to her knowledge that there was a series of ” No Popery” meetings held in the Baptist Chapel at which stories were told which she couid only characiterise as objectionable, and which certainly could not exercise a religious influence on the village, but, on the contrary, a very bad one, she wrote to Mills and told him that unlgss the “No Popery” business stopped she would not deal with him any further. She felt she could not deal with anyone who would seek to blacken her faith in that way, but her letter had absolutely nothing to do with attendance at religious services.
Mr, Poulton, re-called, said that at the first interview he had with Mr Swinscow, relative to the case of the Rose and Crown, Mr. Swinscow said “We have already agreed to give Witchell notice to leave the Rose and Crown.”
Mr Wellington, in cross-examination, asked Mr. Poulton if there were a word of truth in what he had said about Mr. Swinscow.
Mr Poulton: It is absolutely true.
Mr. Wellington: Very well. I don’t suppose the matter will rest there.
At 7.15 the inquiry (which commenced at 10.30) Police Court. was adjourned until Wednesday at the Stroud Police Court.