The Snooty Fox Hotel is situated next to the pillared Market House dating from 1655.

Lewis Wilshire / Mark Steeds collection (Courage archives)


‘Tetbury Talk’ by Syd Mosel, 27th January 2000 – Auctioneers catalogue: An auctioneers’ catalogue which has recently come to my notice refers to the former White Hart, now The Snooty Fox. At the time it was owned by the Holford family of Westonbirt and on 12th December 1900 it came under the hammer. The Holfords had wanted to sell it before but would not do so because of a pledge to the incumbent tenant not to sell during his lifetime. the tenant, Richard Edwards, died early in 1900. The illustrated catalogue shows the archway in Chipping Street, surmounted by the White Hart the public bar entrance and the stables which were converted to a cinema, The Palace, which was damaged by fire, rebuilt and named The new Palace and now part of the Shopping Mall. The White Hart of 1851 was converted to its present form by the Holford family.

Included in the sale was an extensive freehold yard and premises with entrance from Church Lane and known as Lock’s Yard. This now provides rear access to some properties in the Market Place and is the site of the telephone exchange where the date 1790 TT was found on an old wall.


Wilts & Glos Standard: Saturday 23rd January 1909: Tetbury Hunt Ball – The Tetbury Hunt Ball was held with exceptional brilliance and success at the White Hart Hotel on Tuesday last. The fashionable company that assembled considerably exceeded the advertised limit number, and all the arrangements passed off most satisfactorily. The ball rom, especially as seen under the illumination of the central gasaliers and numerous candle sconces affixed to the walls round the room had a charmingly bright and attractive appearance. Two towering palms stood at each end of the room; the orchestra was separated from the body of the room by a screen of greenery and pot plants; over-head crossing and re-crossing the room were light festoons of smilax, with baskets of flowers hanging from the points of intersection. The plants and flowers used in the decorations were sent from the Westonbirt gardens by kind permission of Colonel G.L. Holford and were used under the direction of Mr A. Chapman, the Westonbirt head gardener. The draping throughout was carried out by Mr H.G. Harris, draper of Long Street and the necessary carpentry work and floor preparation was done by Mr Fred Broom, Hampton Street.


Wilts & Glos Standard. Saturday 24th January 1914: The Tetbury Ball – A distinguished company of over 200 guests attended the Tetbury Ball, which was held last night at the White Hart Hotel Assembly rooms. Much care had been taken in the preparation of the handsome suite of rooms requisitioned for the occasion and the gathering was very successful. Dancing commenced at ten o’clock and the scene at the height of the ball was a very brilliant one.


Wilts & Glos Standard. Saturday 3rd October 1914: Tetbury Ladies Working Party for the War – By the kind permission of Mrs Wheeler, the Sewing Party has been carried on weekly since August in the Assembly Room of the White Hart Hotel. A good deal of work of various kinds has been done, some for the Red Cross, for the Belgians and for Lord Kitchener’s 2nd Army. Owing to shortage of funds, the work cannot be carried on unless more money is forthcoming. Material for shirts and body belts and wool for socks and mufflers ae urgently needed. Donations will be gratefully received by Mrs Chew, hon treasurer, Oldham House, Tetbury.


The Citizen, 25th October 1972 – Old Name: One of Gloucestershire’s best known hotels will shortly be reverting to is old name. It was some years ago that The Snooty Fox Hotel in the centre of Tetbury was given its new name. It had previously been The White Hart Hotel. But when the property was bought by Mrs Maxwell Joseph, the wife of the property tycoon and hotel-chain chief, she thought that as it was in the heart of the Beaufort Hunt country, the name of The Snooty Fox would be more appropriate, and this it became.

Now Mrs Joseph’s company has sold The Snooty Fox within her husband’s Grand Metropolitan Group to the Chairman of Empire Caterers, Mr Alan Da Costa. Mrs Sheila Reeves of the Snooty Fox said: “I gather that Mr Da Costa intends to spend a considerably amount of money in redecoration, in giving each bedroom a private bathroom room and coloured television. But because Mrs Joseph already has a Snooty Fox Restaurant in Shepherd’s Market, London, the hotel will be reverting in a month or two’s time to its old name of The White Hart.


Cotswold Life magazine

The Citizen, June 1977 – Came to eat, he bought the hotel: An Eastbourne hotelier who came to dinner has taken over a champagne hotel at Tetbury. Mr N. Ivanzov discovered the three-star White Hart Hotel during an overnight stop while motoring in the area. Recently, he visited the Cheltenham office of Christie & Company, looking for hotel property and the White Hart was put to him as one of the two best propositions available in the Cotswolds at the time. So he bought it.


Advertisement 1978

Western Daily Press, 19th October 1979 – Hotel changes hands: Mr and Mrs Vincent Thomas, their son Owen, and his wife Julie, have taken over the White Hart Hotel in Tetbury. The sale of the hotel in the centre of town has just been completed. The Thomas’s were previously at the Black Lion Royal Hotel, Lampeter, Wales. They purchased the hotel from the previous owner, Mr Ross Corbett.





Western Daily Press, Thursday 8th April 1976 – Luxury Hotel Goes Under the Hammer: One of England’s most luxurious small hotels went under the hammer at Christies yesterday to the tune of some £100,000. That’s the price Mr Ron James and his wife Betty are reputed to have paid for the White Hart in Tetbury, Gloucestershire. The Cotswold stone building in the heart of Beaufort Hunt country was sold by the Empire Catering Company, which is moving out of the hotel business to concentrate on its catering activities. The White Hart became famous as the Snooty Fox when it was taken over by financier Mr Maxwell Joseph. Its luxury on a small scale includes a champagne bar in each of its nine bedrooms. This is not Mr and Mrs James’s first excursion into the hotel business. They recently bought the Stonehouse Hotel in Newport, which is run by their son Robert, and they used to own the Priory Hotel in Caerleon. “We shall be concentrating on personal service,” said Mr James.


Wilts & Glos Standard, 12th March 2001 – Tetbury: The fire service attended a chimney fire at The Snooty fox, Market Street, on Monday afternoon. Firefighters were at the scene for an hour and a half. Damage was minimal.


Wilts and Glos Standard, 3rd January 2002 – Dine in style at the revamped restaurant: The Snooty Fox Hotel in Tetbury is throwing open its doors to the public on Tuesday to celebrate the launch of its new-style bistro. The hotel’s restaurant has been refurbished into a contemporary dining area, less formal than the other areas of the building, but still retaining the ancient features of the room. Also new is the head chef, Craig Poole, who has moved over from the Calcot Manor Hotel.



29th July 2002 – Flags wave on: The patriotism that swept England during the Golden Jubilee and the World Cup has convinced one county hotel company to keep its St George Cross flags flying high. The Hatton Hotel Group says it is keeping its English flags aloft after positive feedback from customers and staff.



Western Daily Press, 13th November 2003 – An old coaching inn with charm and character: The Snooty Fox has all the traditional charm of an old coaching inn whilst offering present day comforts and the best standards of food and service. This carefully restored 16th century mellow stone building occupies a prime site in the historic market town of Tetbury in the heart of the Cotswold Hills. With a wealth of original brick, stone and timber features, the hotel offers a welcoming and timeless atmosphere. The cosy stone walled bar is the ideal place to enjoy a beer in front of the large inglenook fireplace.



Stroud News & Journal, 29th April 2011 – The Snoots gets a makeover: The restaurant and bar area of a Tetbury Hotel has been refurbished. Extensive work has been completed at the Market Place hotel to create a new library lounge with soft furnishings, enhance the main restaurant with a classy dispense bar and re-fit the hotel reception. The front bar has also benefited from an extensive facelift but still retains all of its original character and charm. General manager Marc Gibbons said: “We are extremely pleased with the new look and are excited about our special week of offers to celebrate the refurbishments.”

The Snooty Fox Hotel is hosting its celebrations from Tuesday and they will include a free cheese and wine tasting every night, a British Pie Day with each dish generating a donation to Tetbury hospital and a steak and lobster night on 8th May.


The Citizen, 15th June 2011 – Hotel excellence award: The Snooty Fox Hotel in Tetbury has been awarded a Certificate of Excellence from top travel review site TripAdvisor. It is given to hotels which consistently receive excellent ratings from their members. The Snooty Fox is owned by Hatton Hotels, which has its head office in Hatton Court, Upton St Leonards.


What Three Words ///spooked.including.blend


https//snooty-fox.co.uk


Licensing Details:

Owner in 1891: R.S. Holford (free from brewery tie)

Rateable value in 1891: £48.0s.0d.

Type of licence in 1891: Alehouse

Owner in 1903: Thomas Wheeler (free from brewery tie)

Rateable value in 1903: £62.7s.6d.

Type of licence in 1903: Alehouse

Closing time in 1903: 11pm


Proprietors at the White Hart Hotel / Snooty Fox Hotel include:

1830,1844 Edward Edwards (White Hart and Posting House in 1844)

1856 R. Bannister

1885,1900 Richard Edwards (he died early in 1900)

1903,1919 Thomas Wheeler

1927 T.E. Rennie

1972 Mrs Sheila Reeves (Manageress)

1977 Mr N. Ivanzov

2011 Marc Gibbons (Manager)

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