The Whitminster Inn was constructed as a Coaching inn on the main route from Gloucester to Bristol at the start of the 17th century.
Gloucester Journal 1870
Stroud News, July 2005 – Historic Inn caters for every taste: (advertising feature) The Whitminster Inn was constructed as a Coaching Inn at the start of the 17th century, serving the main route from Gloucester to Bristol. The property then proceeded to be owned by Wickwar Brewery (Arnold, Perrett & Co.Ltd), Whitbread, and then various private licensees, each of them adding to the property over the years.
Since the summer of 2001, the Whitminster Inn has been owned by local businessmen John McGoldrock and Ray Chui, who have undertaken the most extensive expansion of the property since its opening. This is now a family run business with a conscientious and dedicated team, providing for all your needs whether it is a romantic meal for two, a wedding reception, business meeting, Christening party, birthday or any other occasion that you wish to celebrate.
The most recent addition to the property is the marquee, which provides a venue able to cater for up to 250 people, ideal for occasions such as wedding receptions, dinner dances or conference meetings. Alternatively there is a smaller function room located above the main bar area which can accommodate up to 40 people, having its own bar and toilet facilities and allowing guests the privacy for their special 0ccasion or meeting. En suite accommodation is also available at very competitive prices with beautifully refurbished bedrooms catering for business and leisure guests.
The Whitminster Inn is unique in that it currently offers guests a choice in dining with the China Garden Restuarant serving Chinese and Cantonese Cuisine and the Traditional English Lunchtime Menu and an a la Carte Menu in the evening. The China Garden offer takeaway meals as well as the McGoldricks Fish and Chip Shop and Mama Mia’s Pizzeria. The Indian Garden Takeaway will be opening shortly adding to the variety of cultural dining choices at the Whitminster Inn.
The Whitminster Inn continues to develop and move forward with its dedicated team, all the time shaping itself to cater for all requirements were possible.
In March 2008 a planning application to build another 30 bedrooms at the Whitminster Inn was approved by Stroud District Council. This development was in addition to the construction of log cabins at the inn which was granted in 2007.
Gloucestershire Live. Thursday 5th June 2025 – Well-known Chinese restuarant restaurant serves up fresh look: A Chinese restaurant and take-away, which has been serving customers for over two decades, has recently undergone a significant refurbishment. The Chinese Garden eatery, located on the A38 Bristol Road in Whitminster, has seen numerous changes througout its history.
The restaurant, which has an average Tripadvisor rating of 4.2., is owned by Ricky Wong, 46, and Kai Hung, 56, who are both originally from Hong Kong.
The Gazette, 1st August 2025 – Plans approved to turn Whitminster Inn into therapy clinic:
A change of use application has been approved to open a physiotherapy centre in the old Whitminster Inn. The pub – which dates back to the early 17th century – shut its doors back in April 2024 and is located off the A38.
Plans which were submitted by Prime Practice Ltd – which is based in Dudbridge Hill, Stroud – say the clinic will be open from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday. The application – which was supported by Eastington Parish Council – was officially approved by Stroud District Council on July 17 2025. Floor plans also show that a gymnasium will be built in place of the bar, and a pilates studio, offices, and a waiting area will also be added.
It is understood the attached Chinese restaurant, China Garden, will not be affected by the plan. The approved application only focuses on the ground floor of the Whitminster Inn. The upper floors, which were part of the public house and last used as a hotel offering overnight accommodation, are also not part of the plan.
Speaking to Newsquest, a spokesperson from Prime Practice said: “We are incredibly excited to be taking on this iconic site and turning it into a space where the community can focus on health and wellbeing. “Our goal is to provide top quality care in a friendly and welcoming environment for everyone.”
Approving the application, a council officer said: “The building has been vacant since April 2024 when it shut as a public house. Financial information has been submitted spanning a decade of trading which has demonstrated the net losses sustained by various occupiers running the building as a public house/hotel. This has demonstrated the commercial viability at this location for a public house that has a significant footprint is extremely difficult to be profitable or rather not to make a loss.”
The officer added: “The public house has been marketed informally since it last closed, but not with a formal commercial agent. This informal marketing has been evidenced to have taken place for at least twelve months. Whilst the site has not been formally marketed with a commercial agent, the site is within the established local centre of Whitminster with various similar uses offering a range of services from coffee and cake, daytime and sit-down meals in licensed premises for lunch and dinner as well as takeaway options, four of these facilities are within 50 metres of the site, whilst another is just over 100 metres. Officers are therefore satisfied that there are sufficient alternative existing facilities and are satisfied based on the information submitted that there is no appetite for a public house, demonstrated by a significant timeframe of a financially failing public house.”
The officer concluded: “A public house use has not come forward in twelve months and there is no community objection to the proposed loss of the building. Furthermore, the proposal is for an adaptive commercial use for the building (class E) within a local centre. This is broadly supported in policy with the benefit of class E being a flexible use meaning that should the current proposed use not be successful, the large and important building within this local centre has a flexible use.”
You can view the approved application quoting S.25/0407/FUL
Map Reference: SO 777080
Rateable Value in 1891: £77.10s.0d.
Type of licence in 1891:Alehouse
Owner in 1891: Arnold Perrett & Co. Ltd., Wickwar Brewery
Rateable Value in 1903: £30.15s.0d.
Type of licence in 1903: Alehouse
Owner in 1903: Arnold Perrett & Co. Ltd., Wickwar Brewery
Closing time in 1903: 10pm
Landlords at the Whitminster Inn include:
1856 W. Lambert
1885 James Wadley
1891 Charles Henry Pick
1903 Charles M. Bramham
1906 Ernest William Palmer
1919 Mrs Mary A. Nicholson
1927 F.G. Turrell
2001,2008 John McGoldrick and Ray Chui