Evesham Journal, Saturday 19th January 1889 – Wheatsheaf Hotel, Northleach: TO LET, with immediate possession, this old-established and full licensed hotel. First class opening for a Veterinary Surgeon. – apply Tayler & Co., Northleach.
19th January 1901 – Northleach, Coursing: A coursing meeting took place on Wednesday last, but for the weather, which did not bode to be favourable for coursing, it would have been doubtless a well attended fixture. The uncertain weather was therefore responsible for a late start at Winterwell Farm, through the kindness of Mr. Jefferies, and only half the card was gone through. At the close of the day about 20 sat down to a dinner provided by host Rouse of the Wheatsheaf Hotel.
15th February 1908 – Northleach, Oddfellows Dinner: The members of the Loyal Sherborne Lodge of Oddfellows held their annual dinner at the Wheatsheaf Hotel on Thursday in last week. Bro S Ward occupied the chair with his usual success, and a very pleasant evening was spent.
Gloucestershire Echo, Thursday 26th November 1936 – Ancient Ritual Observed at Northleach Ceremony: “Chooysing ye Bailee” with its attendant ceremony based upon ancient ritual was observed at the Wheatsheaf Hotel, Northleach, last evening. Mr H. St. G. Rawlins, of Cirencester, in the capacity of deputy steward to the Lord of the Leet, Earl Bathurst, conducted the proceedings. About 60 were present, including several influential and well-known men in the district. The toast of the King was honoured with enthusiasm.
Cheltenham Chronicle, Saturday 12th October 1940 – Northleach Man of War Prisoner, Parents Receive News: Mr and Mrs John Bennett, of the Wheatsheaf Hotel, Northleach, have received notification that their second son, Pte. Leslie Bennett, who has been missing since May, is now a prisoner of war in Germany. He was serving with the Gloucesters.
Gloucestershire Echo, Tuesday 5th August 1941 – Fatal sequel to accident – Northleach war widow victim: Mrs J. Bennett, widow of the late Jack Bennett, son of the licensee of the Wheatsheaf Hotel, Northleach, has died in the Cheltenham General Hospital following a collision between her bicycle and a lorry on the Cirencester Road at Chedworth on Friday last. She lived with her father, Mr Dayment, of Bleakmoor, Chedworth, where she was organist of the Congregational Chapel and a member of the Women’s Institute. She married Mr. Bennett in Easter, 1940, a few months before he was killed in action in the fighting around Dunkirk.
10th March, 1998 – When Trustees of Northleach Town Charities met at the Wheatsheaf Hotel in the town for their annual dinner, a special toast was proposed to Chequer Barrett who has been a trustee for 47 years. Mr Barrett was at one time employed by the old Northleach District Council.
Gloucestershire Echo, 26th November 1999 – Town fears losing plot: A plan to develop one of Northleach’s most historic sites has sparked strong opposition from the town council, which is determined to preserve it for the future. Councillors are determined to fight a residents bid to build a house on land at the back of the Wheatsheaf Hotel – one of the town’s original 60 burgage plots. The plots were rented by villagers to keep cattle on and their trade stared the town. Since the 1960’s some of the land has been built on.
Gloucestershire Echo, 24th May 2000 – Hotel sale brings change of name: The Wheatsheaf Hotel in Northleach has been sold by national hotel and licensed property agents Robert Barry & Co. Its new owners are Nick Elliot, James Symington, Daniel Brinklow and Jeremy Lee. The new owners’ first move is to change The Wheatsheaf’s name from hotel to inn, to reflect the change of emphasis to a food and drink led operation.
Morning Advertiser, 1st November 2001 – Pub to show Lennon’s art: Art buffs from all over the world will descend on a Cotswold pub this month to view an exhibition of paintings by John Lennon. The exhibition, at the Wheatsheaf Inn at Northleach, will include previously unseen work. The pictures come from the private collection of widow Yoko Ono and it will be the first time the exhbition has been on show in this country. The Wheatsheaf has scored this scoop because one of its regulars, Jonathan Poole, has the European rights to the Lennon Collection. The 10-bedroom Wheatsheaf, will display the 140 prints and 12 originals from 7th to 9th November.
Gloucestershire Echo, 29th January 2002. Nice one – it’s squirrel on the menu (by Paul Bull): Regulars at a Cotswold hotel are going nuts for the latest unusual dish to appear on the specials board. The phrase “how do you like your squirrel served?” is well established at the Wheatsheaf Inn in Northleach. For those not content with the traditional steak and chips or ploughmans lunch, squirrel ravoli or a hearty squirrel casserole are providing an unusual alternative.
Freshly trapped by local gamekeepers, squirrel was introduced to the menu by hotel owner Nick Elliot and head chef Robin Smith. They created dishes as diverse as squirrel and foe gras torte with leek and dauphinoise potatoes, or confit leg of squirrel wrapped in Parma ham on a potato salad.
Mr Elliot said: “It takes a bit like a cross between rabbit and chicken and there’s plenty of meat on it because they do get nice and fat. You treat it like you would rabbit.”
Gloucestershire Echo, Friday 28th June 2002 – Squirrel dishes put on hold: A Cotswold pub that started serving squirell to customers earlier this year has taken it off the menu, but only until September. Nick Elliot said, “Squirrels are vermin and they are allowed to be poisened between March and July which is their mating season. We don’t want to poison our customers so we’ll stop for that period of time.”
Customers at the Wheatsheaf Inn have been getting through an average of 25 squirrels a week since January.
Gloucestershire Echo – Weekend supplement (by Caroline Fisher), 30th April 2005: The Wheatsheaf has reaped what it’s sown. Brothers Gavin and Casper Harvard-Walls have successfully turned what was a humdrum hostelry into an enviable eatery. Taking over in May 203, the siblings, manager Norman McHardy and chef Stephen McCartney have created a superb atmosphere, a tantalisingly inventive menu and built up a wine list which earned them Les Routiers Pubs and Inns best list in South West England 2003-04. But it’s not just a pub for gastronomes, it’s for locals in Northleach too.
Walking into the flagstone bar, regulars couldn’t wait to tell me how good it was. Diners can sit in the more formal restaurant area with scrubbed wood tables, tapestry-backed chairs, warm rugs and contemporary hunting scenes or chill out by a roaring log fire. Gavin, 35, said: “We bought a run-down, sad and very tired pub. It wasn’t well-known in the area for its food.”
Gloucestershire Echo, 12th October 2006 – End of an era at the pub: The Wheatsheaf in Northleach has shut after a disagreement over who should pay for much needed repairs. Brothers Gavin and Casper Harvard-Walls thanked all clients and friends who have supported the pub over the past four years. In a statement they said: “It is with regret that we have been unable to negotiate the renewal of our lease, and the pub has been handed back to the landlord [Punch Taverns]. The brothers have poured thousands of pounds into reparing the pub but say they can no longer afford to keep the business going.
A spokesman from Punch Taverns said: “We have made a considerable effort to help make the busness a success and have worked with the couple to offer them a rescue package including rent reductions and other financial support. We now aim to find a new licensee for the business and open the pub as soon as possible.
Gloucestershire Echo, 5th January 2007 – Cheers to new start for pub: A pub which shut in a bitter protest has made a fresh start. now mum Jo Champion, her two daughters Kelli and Christy, and ‘surrogate’ daughter Michelle, have taken over, They say claims against Punch Taverns were unfair and aim to turn the business around. Shocked punters were left high and dry when brothers Gavin and Casper Harvard-Walls shit up shop in October after three-and-a-half years. The brothers said it would take a six-figure sum to repair the dilapidated Grade II listed building and they needed help from their landlords.
Gloucestershire Echo, 17th September 2008 – Mystery as pub left abandoned: Landlords have deserted a landmark Cotswolds pub. Punters have been reeling as the Wheatsheaf Inn, at Northleach, closed down mysteriously and without warning. It is the second time in two years the ill-fated hostelry has shut down under a cloud of controversy. Tenants Jo Champion and her daughters took over the pub, restaurant and eight-bedroom hotel in January 2007. Punch Taverns press officer Joanna Lumani couldn’t shed any light on the Champions’ disappearance. She said: “Unfortunately Punch Taverns has been forced to close the Wheatsheaf. However, we’ve recruited new licensees and are hopeful the Wheatsheaf will be open and trading in two weeks.”
Gloucestershire Echo, 6th November 2008 – Rugby Sam to tackle ill-fated pub: A pub that was left deserted twice in two years is back pulling in the punters. Now former Gloucester rugby player, Sam Pearman – who also took over the Royal Well Tavern in Cheltenham, in May – has pledged to turn its fortunes around. Sam said: “Making it a pub for the town first and getting the food, atmosphere and service right is the key. We aim to create a proper pub with pub classics on the menu. Sam wants to hold community events and will host the traditional Court Leet dinner, which originated when Northleach was granted its charter in 1227.
Gloucestershire Echo, 10th November 2011 – ‘4am licence bid won’t turn pub into a nightclub’: A pub has reassured residents it is not going to turn into a nightclub. Thirty-five people have objected to the Wheatsheaf Inn’s bid to extend the licence to cover a newly-converted stable bar at the outside of the pub and two new rooms in an adjoining cottage. It means the Northleach hostelry could serve and sell drinks and host live and recorded music up until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays as well as late-night refreshment until 4am on Fridays and Saturdays in all areas. But pub and hotel owners Sam and Georgina Pearman say locals’ concerns are a storm in a teacup as they are already licensed for those hours but never use them. They claim the application to Cotswold District Council is just a formality. The licensing committee meets on Monday to make a decision.
Wilts & Glos Standard, Thursday 8th January 2015 – Pub breakfast joy: A pub in Northleach has been recognised for having one of the best breakfasts in Britain. The Wheatsheaf Inn’s authentic American pancakes have secured the business a place in Esquire magazine’s guide to the 25 best breakfasts in the country.
Wilts & Glos Standard, 3rd September 2015 – County pub in national top 50: Just one of Gloucestershire’s many fine pubs have made a list of the top 50 in the country. The Good Food Guide has just published its 2016 edition of the popular list, and the Wheatsheaf Inn based in Northleach has made the cut.
Gazette, Thursday 16th September 2021 – Wheatsheaf scoops national pub honour in awards: The Wheatsheaf in Northleach has been crowned as one of the 15 regional winners at the annual National Pub and Bar awards. It is an incredible achievement for the team as its been named the best pub in the South West. The 17th century coaching inn is part of the Lucky Onion stable of pubs and restaurants and also has 14 rooms. It is beautifully decorated and quintessentially Cotswolds through and through. The National Pub & Bar Awards, hosted by critic Grace Dent, showcases the UK’s finest pubs and bars to crown the best venues across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Galvin Green Man in Essex was crowned the overall winner.
https://www.cotswoldswheatsheaf.com
Licensing Details:
Owner in 1891: Tayler’s Cotswold Brewery, Northleach
Rateable value in 1891: £23.4s.0d.
Type of licence in 1891: Alehouse
Owner in 1903: Tayler’s Cotswold Brewery, Northleach
Rateable value in 1903: £28.0s.0d.
Type of licence in 1903: Alehouse
Closing time in 1903: 10pm
Owners in 2024; Young & Co’s Brewery PLC (Pubco)
Landlords at the Wheatsheaf Hotel include:
1856 Mrs M. Powell
1885 H. & S. Powell (Wheatsheaf Family and Commercial Hotel)
1889 Mary Ellen Eeles (see Swan Hotel, Moreton in Marsh)
1891 Percival Swayne Carter
Stroud News & Gloucestershire Advertiser, Friday 28th August 1891 – BIRTHS: Carter, August 13th at the Wheatsheaf Hotel, Northleach, the wife of P.S. Carter, of a daughter.
Cheltenham Chronicle, Saturday 15th August 1896 – Transfer: The license of the Wheatsheaf Hotel, Northleach was transferred from Mr M.V. Rider to Charles Rouse.
1903 Thomas Harry Cawdle
1906 James Charles Waine
1915 ‘Mr John Waine, formerly of the Wheatsheaf Hotel, Northleach.’
1919 Thomas William Tayler, proprietor
1927,1940 John Bennett, proprietor
1956 Mr & Mrs Webber
1999 (Jan) – 2001 Chris Hancock
2000 Nick Elliot, James Symington, Daniel Brinklow and Jeremy Lee
2002 Nick Elliott
2003,2005 Gavin and Casper Harvard-Walls (manager Norman McHardy
