Talbot Hotel, Market Square, Stow on the Wold

The Talbot Hotel was once tied to Hitchman’s Brewery of Chipping Norton before being acquired by Hunt Edmunds of Banbury. After a few decades of being tied to Bass Charington it was sold to Wadworth of Devizes in 1985.

Gloucestershire Chronicle. February 19^th 1870: On the morning of Thursday 10^th February at half past six o’clock a fire of an alarming nature was discovered to have broken out in the dining room of the Talbot Inn. The inmates were aroused by a smothering sensation arising from the smoke and on proceeding to the dining room, where a dinner had been held on a previous night, the inside was found to be in flames. Fortunately Mr Day, the landlord, was able to close the door and give an alarm which was taken up by Mr Akers and in a short time the men from the brewery with Messrs Gillett’s small fire engine were on the spot and also the men from Mr Hollis’s foundry. By this time the fire was seen to be raging in the farther end of the room but water being at hand the engine was almost instantly set to work and the end window frame smashed in. The floor was then to be found to be burnt through and the furniture was dropping into a stable beneath when one of the foundry men named Maisey courageously entered the room through the window with a hose. And though almost suffocated with smoke remained there until the fire was extinguished. It appears almost miraculous how the fire was confined to the end of the room and had it been allowed to spread through adjoining premises it is impossible to say what damage it might have ensued. Messrs Gillett’s engine is very useful and thanks to their kindness it is at everyone’s service in case of fire but would it would be of little use to check a large conflagration. Surely there ought to be an efficient fire engine and brigade in the town. Whether one will be provided now or when half the square has been burnt down remains to be seen.