The White Hart Hotel was an imposing brick building located on the eastern side of the High Street close to the junction with Cannonbury Street. To the left of the building is a large entrance which once led to the stables behind the hotel. The entrance is large enough to allow for the passage of cars to the rear yard.
Gloucestershire Chronicle, Saturday 10th February 1872 – Shocking accident at Berkeley: Last Friday afternoon William Andrews, plumber, Dursley, and late of Wotton-under-Edge, was putting a new pump in a well at the White Hart, Berkeley, and was 40 feet down in the well at work, suspended by a rope, when the upper portion of the well gave way, and also the side wall of a stable, which was built on the edge of the well, and the poor fellow was shut in suddenly forty feet underground. Many men have since been unceasingly at work, but the body has not, we believe, has yet been recovered. The deceased leaves a wife but no children, and was 48 years of age. He would have finished the work on the next day had the accident not occurred.
Bristol Times and Mirror, Friday 30th July 1886 – For Sale. Freehold Public House. The White Hart, Berkeley, Gloucestershire. Goodwill and possession, furniture, etc. at valuation. £700 may remain on mortgage. For further details apply to Legge, Son & Pearce, Auctioneers, Berkeley.
Stroud News and Gloucestershire Advertiser, Friday 23rd August 1889 – White Hart Hotel, Berkeley (One of the oldest and best commercial hotels in the Town) Proprietor H. Knight. ‘This hotel, after going extensve alterations, is now replete with every accommodation for private and other parties visiting Berkeley Castle, Sharpness, or any other prominent point of interest in the neighbourhood. Good stabling, and every convenience for supplying Dinners and General Refreshments. Agent for Holmes & Co’s Celebrated Henley-on-Thames Ales.
Gloucester Journal, Saturday 29th July 1905 – Gloucester and Somerset Poor Law Officers’ Association: The summer meeting of this Association was held at the White Hart Hotel, Berkeley, on Saturday, when members present from Gloucester, Cheltenham, Newent, Berkeley and Thornbury, among other places. The business was made as short as possible as the meeting was more of an outing. Lord Fitzhardinge had given permission to the members to visit the Castle and grounds, and the church was also inspected. Tea was taken at the White Hart Hotel.
Gloucester Journal, Saturday 25th November 1905 – A billiards match between teams representing Dursley and Berkeley was played on Wednesday at the White Hart Hotel, Berkeley. The result was an easy victory for the home side. Dursley only winning one of the five games, and that by only two points.
Western Daily Press, Thursday 4th February 1909 – The annual dinner in connection with the Berkeley Road Christmas sale was held at the White Hart Inn, Berkeley, on Monday evening. Mr A.J. Peter presided, and there was a moderate audience. The Chairman proposed “Success to the Berkeley Road Market, and may it never come on the rates.” Mr Pope, jun, responded. Mr C.H. Knight, hon-secretary, read the balance sheet, which showed the donations amounted to £47.3s.4d., the expenditure £40.8s. given in prizes, disbursements £6.14.6d., and balance in hand 10d. This was considered very satisfactory.
Western Daily Press, Tuesday 13th June 1911 – The Lawford’s Gate (West Gloucester Licensed Victuallers and Beer Retailers’ Association). The Quarterly meeting will be held at the White Hart, Hotel, Berkeley TODAY (Tuesday) at 3.30 prompt. The Report will deal with many matters of interest to Licence-holders, and the Committee appeal to members to attend.
An old licensing board was still in situ when I visited Berkeley about 30 years ago. It read: ‘Thomas D. Smith. Licensed to sell beer, cider, wines, spirits & tobacco to be consumed on or off the premises.’
Licensing Details:
Owner in 1891: Edmund Pickard (leased to Holmes, Harper & Neame)
Rateable value in 1891: £40.0s.0d.
Type of licence in 1891: Alehouse
Owner in 1903: Nailsworth Brewery
Rateable value in 1903: £40.0s.0d.
Type of licence in 1903: Alehouse
Closing time in 1903: 11pm
Landlords at the White Hart Hotel include:
1855, 1856 Swan Webster
1885 Edmund Pickard
1889, 1906 Henry Knight
1919 Charles Knight
1927,1939 Mabel B. Knight (Mrs)
1958 C. Smith (‘licensed caterer’)
—- Thomas D. Smith