The Royal William is currently closed (Summer 2026) and faces an uncertain future. It has an interesting hstory although the building is often quoted to be centuries old. In fact the present building dates to Edwardian times and is just over 100 years old. The Royal William was bought by Stroud Brewers Godsell & Sons in 1904, part of the portfolio of the old Wlliam Sadler Hall Cranham Brewery which had a small pub estate. Presumably the brewhouse was incorporated into the premises of the Royal William. The original building was once known as the Pound of Candles. Godsells demolished the old pub and rebuilt it to hotel standards. In 1928 Godsells Brewery was acquired in a friendly takeover by the rival Stroud Brewery Company, and ultimately into the ownership of Whitbread who marketed the Royal William as a Trophy Inns Tavern, suceeded by the Brewers Fayre franchise. The Royal William became a free house but trade declined after the Covid pandemic.
Gloucester Journal. August 1885: The annual feast of the Cranham Friendly Society was held on Monday last. The members met at their club room at the Royal William Inn, at 10 o’clock and headed by the Sheepscombe Brass Band marched through the village to the church where they attended divine service. Returning from the church, members sat down to dinner at the Royal William.
Gloucester Journal, Saturday 5th December 1908 – Cranham: The third of the series of social suppers arranged for the winter season was held at the Royal William, Cranham, on Saturday evening last. There were about thirty present, Mr. Philip M. Chance presiding. The toast list was commendably short, consisting of “The King”, “The Host and Hostess”, and “The Chairman”, and the remainder of the evening was devoted to music, those contributing including Messrs. Arthur Taylor, Harry Barnard, Jack Milllard, T.W. Overs [and others] with Mr. West at the Piano.
Gloucestershire Echo, 7th April 1909 – Royal William, Cranham: A smoking concert will be held on Thursday next at 7.30. Addresses will be given by A.W. Clifford Esq., J.P. and others. An excellent programme will be provided.
The Citizen, Friday 4th March 1910 – Cranham Starling Shoot and Smoker: Another invitation starling shoot was successfully carried through at the Royal William, Cranham, on Thursday. There was a good number of competitors, and Mr Joe Smith had some very warm birds for them. The result was that the average was low, but the prizes were pretty evenly shared. After the shoot an excellent supper was served by Host and Hostess Overs, and Mr James Godsell presided over the smoking concert that followed. Dr. J. Balfour Fergusson voiced the thanks of the company to Mr. Godsell for his genial presence, and the vote was carried with musical honours.
The Citizen, Thursday 28th July 1904 – Sale of licensed premises: At the Bell Hotel, Gloucester, on Wednesday, Messrs. Bruton, Knowles and Co. conducted an important sale of licensed premises, by instruction of Mr. W. Sadler Hall. The lots consisted of the old-established Cranham Brewery, with the malt-houses, dwelling house, garden and paddock and the goodwill of the brewing and malting business as a going concern, and the following licensed houses:- The Royal William Inn, Cranham (fully licensed); The Cross Hands Inn, Brockworth (fully licensed); the Crown and Cushion Hotel, Bath Road, Cheltenham (fully licensed); the Sandford Inn, Sandford Street, Cheltenham (fully licensed); the Five Alls Inn with two houses adjoining, Bath Road, Cheltenham, Gladstone Arms Inn, Sherborne Street, Cheltenham; the Apple Tree Inn, with two dwelling houses adjoining, Russell Street, Cheltenham; and the Duke of Wellington Inn, Tredworth, Gloucester. Messrs. Godsell and Sons, Stroud, purchased the whole of the properties for £13,800. Mr Frank Treasure, Gloucester, was the vendor’s solicitor.
The Gloucestershire Chronicle, Saturday 9th February 1924 – Extract from ‘Industries of Gloucestershire. Messrs Godsell & Sons, Ltd. An old and enterprising firm.’
Keeping abreast with the times in 1904, the firm bought Cranham Brewery, for many years known as “Halls in the Wood”, and formerly successfully conducted by the late Mr. Sadler Hall. At that time there existed an old-fashioned hostelry, which was the resort of gypsies, woodmen and villagers, and the mecca of Cranham Feast – in those days a boisterous affair. With characteristic enterprise, Messrs Godsell had this building demolished, and in its place erected a first class hotel, known by the Royal William, which is visited by people from all parts of the country, and which is the rendezvous of picnic parties from far and near.
Above: The original Royal William Inn
There was once a small brewery at the Royal William. It was established by a Mr William Sadler-Hall at the end of the eighteenth century and was known as the Cranham Brewery. The business was acquired by Godsell & Sons of Salmon Springs in August 1904 for £13,800. The purchase included seven tied houses; the Royal William in Cranham, the Cross Hands in Brockworth and five pubs in Cheltenham (Apple Tree Inn, Russell Street; Crown & Cushion, Bath Road; Five Alls, Bath Road; Gladstone Arms, Sherborne Street and the Sandford Inn in Sandford Street). The Cranham Brewery closed upon takeover.
The Dolphin Inn. Northgate Street, Gloucester, which was offered at the same time and withdrawn, was subsequently sold by private contract to Capt. Dashwood.
Image courtesy Phil Sampson (Facebook)
Gloucester Journal, Saturday 16th August 1924 – Gloucester Blind Association: The annual outing of the Gloucester Blind Association took place in glorious weather. The party left Brunswick Road in charabancs at 2.30. and had an enjoyable drive round Stonehouse and Stroud to the Royal William, Cranham, where an excellent tea awaited them. After the discussion of this meal all adjourned to a shady lawn, where Messrs. Woodward and Rowe arranged tugs-of-war and hunting for hidden treasure, while the women and children entered into cake guessing and other competitions. The remaining time was occupied by solos from Messrs. Davis and Ivor Townsend, and songs and choruses from the whole party. “God Save the King” brought a delightful afternoon to a close, and the party re-entered the charabancs, reaching Gloucester about 7 p.m.
Cheltenham Chronicle, Saturday 4th January 1930 – The Royal Willliam Hotel, Cranham – Some Historical Notes: During the Christmas vacation a member of our staff paid a visit to the Royal Willliam, that charmingly situated hotel in Cranham Woods, on the main road from Cheltenham to Painswick, and found it beautifully decorated, in keeping with the festive season.
A chat with mine host, Mr. S.H. Vickridge, revealed the fact that this fine hotel has a very ancient history. There has been an inn near the Portway, the ancient road that divided Prinknash Manor from Prinknash Park and Buckholt (the latter the property of the Abbots of Gloucester) for a very long period. Its origin there was presumably for the practical convenience of ordinary business, as well as for the farmers and sportsmen of the neighbourhood The Portway, which still joins the present main road near the Hotel, was the main old road from the Ridgeway, or Wick Street, running through and above Cranham, down to the Borough and Port of Gloucester. A surviving deed of AD 1121 proves that the lands of Norman owners of Kimsbury, Prinknash and Painswick all met at its head, hard by the site of the present Royal William Inn.
The Inn was formerly known as ‘The Henry VIII’ (8th) and received its present name in 1830 in order to celebrate the accession of a monarch (William IV), who reigned but seven years and who, we believe, was never in this country. Thus a unique inn-sign became abolished. Horace Wimpole and his friend from Matson, used to ride to this inn and he refers with interest, to the singularity of its name in his diary, without being aware of its real origin.
There is the best reason for suggesting that as King Harry (sic) with his Queen (Anne Boleyn), hunted in Painswick and Miserden in July 1535, for two days from Gloucester where they were the guests of Abbot Parker, the Inn took its name in the King’s honour; or it was first built by the order of Sir John Dudley, later the Duke of Northumberland, part owner of the Painswick Manor, who accompanied them. Failing that, it may have been raised as a flattering memorial five years later by Sir William Kingston, K.G., who had by then purchased the manor, and who had also accompanied the regal hunting party. The inn survived the Civil Wars of 1642-8, when Prince Rupert, Commander-in-Chief to King Charles, lodged at Prinknash with the Bridgeman family.
Wesley, on his nag travelling through Brockworth, Prinknash and by many gates towards Paradise and Painswick, on his way to Stroud and Bath, may often have passed close by, and Pennant mentions it in 1774. Mr W. St. Claire Baddesley, in his “A Cotteswold Manor,” says: “Walpole, Pennant and Selwyn of Matson all knew the Henry VIIIth and mentioned it as a curiosity. It is a pity such a rare sign with historic reasons for its occurence there, should have been dropped in order to flatter William IV., who was never hereabouts and reigned but seven years.
Perhaps the powers-that-be will, one day, restore the old name. Harry (sic) the VIIIth, in face and figure, would well adorn a glorious inn-sign, if treated with artistic ability.
The Citizen, Thursday 12th September 1968 – Twelve escape over roof in hotel blaze: A two-year-old girl was carried across a roof to safety when fire swept through the restaurant of the Royal William Hotel, Cranham, today. Eleven staff and little Sarah Davies, daughter of landlord Mr. Tony Davies, all escaped unhurt. They climbed out through a smashed bedroom window, across a flat roof at the back of the hotel and jumped to the ground.
Firemen confined the blaze to the restaurant of the 300-year-old hotel, but the adjoining lounge was damaged by heat and fumes. The complete stock of wines and spirits as well as furniture were lost, but last night’s takings in the restaurant were saved. Christine Solomon and Jane Organ (20) woke the staff when they smelt smoke, they could not get to the lounge telephone so they went outside and flagged down a passing car. Sarah was carried to safety from her bedroom above the blazing restaurant. Bar manager, Mr Keith Ferris (20) said, “Everyone was outside but we could not find Mr. Davies’ black labrador, Belcher. Then I saw him at my bedroom window and lifted him onto the roof.”
Mr Davis Morris (28) who runs the restaurant, said: “We have lost everything in there and it will take a month at least before it is back in business. We may able to turn the ballroom into a temporary restaurant. One bar will be open today and we should have the other two in operation by the weekend.” He said it should be possible to cater for functions already booked. But the bookings ledger had gone up in flames and he asked people with bookings to contact him.
Painswick fireman were at the hotel within minutes of receiving the alarm call and had to wear breathing equipment to fight the blaze. They made sure that no one was in the building. Mr. Davies, the landlord, has been on holiday and is due back at the hotel today.
Courtesy Nick Warner
In 1974 Whitbread published a book called ‘Inn and around’, a guide to 250 favourite Whitbread pubs. At that time the Royal William was a ‘Trophy Tavern’.
Above – The Citizen, Tuesday 29th June 1982 -Cheers! Staff at the Royal William, near Painswick, drink a toast to their new namesake. Champagne was cracked open when news broke that the Prince and Princess of Wales were naming their baby William, and to mark the event, pub manager Peter Lewis announces his own new edition – an extra dish on the menu, “Chicken Royal William.” “It’s braised chicken in orange and cherry sauce,” explained Mr. Lewis. The pub is named after King William III – William of Orange – whose portrait hangs on the wall of the lounge bar. Our picture shows (left to right): Peter Vollrath, Lynne Cinderey, Margaret Lewis, Peter Lewis and Val Young.
Stroud News & Journal, 28th November 2001 – Pub gets top marks from incognito investigator: An incognito investigator has awarded a Painswick Pub with top marks for food quality. The Royal William at Cranham was monitored for kitchen practices, kitchen control, stock calculation and food quality by the mystery auditor from Brewers Fayre, who called on the oub without warning. Staff at the pub will be treated to a celebration party and given a monogrammed apron to mark their success.
Wilts & Glos Standard (online), 21st April 2023:
The Royal William, located on the A46 Cheltenham Road, has gone up for sale for £750,000. The pub – which is located on the outskirts of Cranham between Brockworth and Painswick – is however, still open for business according to current landlords Chris and Tina Foster. But, the husband and wife team who have run the pub for the last 15 years have decided to step back due to ‘ongoing costs’. As a result, the pub has now been placed on the market by owners Mitchells & Butlers.
In a statement Chris and Tina said: “We are indeed still open as we are obligated under the terms of our contract with Mitchells & Butlers who are our landlords. The decision for the outright freehold sale was taken by the Mitchells & Butlers as we had recently expressed our desire to assign the remaining 5 years on our 20 year lease. Since the pandemic we have struggled to get the Royal William back on its feet and as costs have soured we have seen a reduction in footfall of around 30 per cent to pre pandemic levels.”
“A large proportion of our pre-pandemic trade was elderly and it is this section of the trade in which we have witnessed a dramatic decline, either due to the fear of venturing out or the costs associated with going out to dine or drink these days. With the costs of fuel and the increased cost prices which have been forced upon by our landlords and suppliers as they all find ways to cover their own cost increases and maintain their own profit margins. We find ourselves in a position where we are barely making ends meet. Increases in energy costs and labour have also contributed to the current dilemma and with the need for further investment to continue to drive our business forward I’m afraid we arrived at our decision to reduce our business model to one pub in which we can focus our time and attention. Working long hours to simply line the pockets of others for no personal reward whilst receiving little or no support simply isn’t our idea of fair business and given our own personal circumstances. We sadly lost our granddaughter three years ago who was only aged 11 months.”
“We simply haven’t got the personal drive in continuing to deliver what the customers at the Royal William want and very much deserve. We had some really great ideas to deliver so much more for the future before the pandemic hit but the changes in our circumstances and priorities going forward, simply means that we just aren’t the people who can deliver what the pubs need to grow. We are committed to continuing to deliver the best service we can until a buyer is found and would like to take the opportunity to thank all our loyal customers and our great team of staff who continue to work tirelessly in supporting us both physically and emotionally. We certainly wouldn’t have been able to continue without their dedication.”
Facebook post. 16th September 2023:
Today is officially the last trading day for Tina and Chris. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us over the last 16 years. You have been amazing and we will be sad to leave but unfortunately time has come for us to move on. The Royal William will always hold a special place in our hearts and we have so many great memories to cherish. Thank you so much to all the staff for making it such a great place to be involved in and thank you to all those regulars and visitor who kept us going through thick and thin. We really do love you all. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Map Reference: SO 880128
Licensing Details:
Owner in 1891: William Sadler Hall, Cranham Brewery (free from brewery tie)
Rateable value in 1891: £17.0s.0d.
Type of licence in 1891: Alehouse / Brewery
Owner in 1903: William Sadler Hall, Cranham Brewery (free from brewery tie)
Rateable value in 1903: Alehouse / Brewery
Type of licence in 1903: £17.0s.0d.
Closing time in 1903:
Landlords at the Royal William include:
1856 W. Hall
1866 Birth: ‘On May 30th, at the Royal William, Cranham, the wife of Mr William Hall, junior, of a daughter.’
1891,1903 William Sadler Hall
1906 Albert Shorney
1919,1927 Thomas William Overs
DEATHS – OVERS: On 5th August 1942, Edith Caroline, widow of Thomas William Overs, late of the Royal William, Cranham, aged 74.
1930 Mr Sydney Herbert Vickridge (died January 1935)
1939 Mrs S. Vickridge
1968 Tony & Jayne Davies
1974 John & Yvonne Jones
1989 David and Margaret Butterfield
1992 Bob and Julia Montgomery (managers)
2008,2023 Tony Barnfield, Tina and Chris Foster