February 2022 – This list was created in 2006 and no doubt will be out of date by now.

Listed below are pubs, ex-pubs, and off-licences that still have a ‘West Country Ales – Best in the West’ ceramic plaque still in situ. These colourful brewery plaques are still quite a common sight in Gloucestershire and are taken very much for granted. However, they deserve far more recognition as these West Country Ales plaques are a reminder of Gloucestershire’s once proud brewing heritage.

West Country Breweries were established in 1958 when the Stroud Brewery merged with the Cheltenham Brewery. By coincidence both the Stroud Brewery and the Cheltenham Brewery first started brewing in the same year – 1760. The date is recorded in the ceramic plaques. West Country Breweries were a large regional company with tied houses extending into Herefordshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Worcestershire and parts of Wales. As a result, these colourful ‘castle’ plaques can still be seen as far away as Presteigne in Wales and Marlborough in Wiltshire.

The distinctive ‘castle’ or ‘tower’ design was first used by the Cheltenham Original Brewery, and ceramic brewery plaques once graced the outside of their tied houses with the words ‘Cheltenham Ales’. After the Second World War the Cheltenham Brewery acquired the Hereford and Tredegar Breweries. As a result the company changed its name to Cheltenham & Hereford Breweries and the old plaques were replaced with the new, but similar, ‘Cheltenham & Hereford Ales’ design. The old Foxhill Inn near Guiting Power still has such a plaque inlaid into the wall. The ‘West Country Ales’ plaques were placed in pub walls from 1958 until c.1967. Whitbread took over West Country Breweries in 1963 but for a few years after the acquisition Whitbread still used the West Country Ales ‘castle’ logo. There are two sizes and some slight colour differences in the glaze.

The study and distribution of the surviving ceramic plaques has never been undertaken before. There are more plaques out there waiting to be ‘discovered.’ Please let me know if you find any plaques still in situ’ that I have not yet put on the list.


Bristol

Henleaze – Golden Bottle, Constable Road, Lockleaze, Bristol BS7 9YF

Old Market – Palace Hotel

Old Market Stag and Hounds, 74 Old Market


Gloucestershire

Acton Turville – Fox and Hounds
Alderton – Gardeners Arms
Ampney Crucis – Butchers Arms (Pub Closed)
Ampney St. Peter – Red Lion
Apperley – Coal House Inn
Arlingham – Red Lion
Ashleworth – Queens Arms
Avening – Bell Inn, Cross Inn
Aylburton – Cross Inn, Travellers Rest (Pub Closed)
Berkeley – Boars Head, George Inn (Pub Closed – Now Berkeley Pharmacy)
Birdlip – Royal George
Birdwood – King Head
Bisley – Bear Inn (Partly obscured by Pubmaster sign, Stirrup Cup (was the New Inn)
Bishops Cleeve – Kings Head at Cheltenham Road, Swallow Inn at Bishops Drive (Two Plaques)
Blakeney – Cock Inn at Nibley, Yew Tree Inn
Bourton On The Water – Coach and Horses, Fosseway
Bream – Rising Sun, Winding Wheel (Pub Closed – was Miners Arms)
Brimscombe – Kings Arms at Bourne Lane (Pub Closed)
Broadoak Nr Newnham On Severn – White Hart
Broadwell Nr Coleford – Rising Sun Inn (Pub Closed)
Brookthorpe – Four Mile Inn
Cam, Dursley

Berkeley Arms,

Foresters Arms (Pub Closed – now a Bed and Breakfast),

Railway Inn
Cambridge – White Lion, Drovers Arms at Bristol Road (pub closed – plaque obscured from view by vegetation)
Camp Nr Bisley – Fostons Ash Inn
Charfield – Pear Tree Inn at 6 Wotton Road (closed in Jan 2022), Plough Inn at 68 Wotton Road
Charlton Kings – Duke of York at East End, London Road, Merryfellow Inn at Church Street, Ryeworth Inn at Ryeworth Road, Waterside (was Reservoir Inn)
Cheltenham – Beehive Inn at Montpellier Villas, Exmouth Arms at Bath Road, Dawn Run (was Bath Hotel) at Albion Street, Fiery Angel (was New Inn) at Hewlett Road, Hop Pole at Gloucester Road (two plaques), Stable Bar (was Royal Clarence) at Clarence Street (two plaques), Kings Arms at Gloucester Road, Russell Arms at Hales Road, Shakespeare Inn at Lower High Street (plaque chipped), Sherborne Arms at Sherborne Street, Somerset Arms at Somerset Street, Leckhampton, St. James Hotel at Ambrose Street, Sudeley Arms at Prestbury Road, Suffolk Arms at Suffolk Street, Vine (was Coopers Arms) at Strand
Churcham (Oakle Street) – Silent Whistle (was Oakle Street Hotel – Pub Closed)
Churchdown – Hare and Hounds at Cheltenham Road
Cinderford – Globe Inn at High Street (pub closed), Golden Lion at High Street, Mount Pleasant Inn, Royal Foresters atLittledean Hill Road, Swan Inn at High Street, White Hart at St Whites Road
Cirencester – Marlborough Arms, Nelson Inn at Gloucester Street, Oddfellows Arms at Chester Street
Clearwell – Wyndam Arms
Coaley – Old Fox (was Fox and Hounds, Swan Inn (Pub Closed)
Coleford – Masons Arms at Boxbush Road (was Help Me Through the World – Pub Closed)
Coombe Hill – Swan Inn (Restored in 2004. Plaque had been painted over with white paint)
Corse – Prince of Wales at Snigs End
Cranham – Black Horse, Royal William
Cromhall – Royal Oak
Drybrook – Hearts of Oak
Dursley – Cross Keys at Boulton Lane (Pub Closed, Crown Inn at 39 Long Street (Pub Closed), Kings Head at High Street, New Inn at Woodmancote, Old Spot Inn at Hill Road (was Fox and Hounds – two plaques), Star Inn at 33 Silver Street (Pub Closed)
Dymock – Beauchamp Arms
Eastcombe – Lamb Inn
Eastington Nr Stonehouse – Kings Head, Victoria Inn
Ebley – Coach and Horses, Old Crown
Elmstone Hardwicke – Gloucester Old Spot at Piffs Elm (was White Swan)
Falfield – Huntsman
Frampton on Severn – Bell Inn at The Green, Three Horseshoes at The Green
Gloucester – 45 Moreton Street at Tredworth (ex Off Licence), ‘Beaverprint’ at 18 Upton Street at Tredworth (was an off licence), Beehive Inn (closed) at Millbrook Street at Gloucester, Blackfriars Inn (closed) at Commercial Street at Gloucester, Black Swan at Southgate Street at Gloucester, Coach and Horses at St. Catherines Street at Gloucester, Cross Keys at Cross Keys Lane, Drinks Cabin (off licence) at 79-81 Tredworth Road at Gloucester, Duke of Wellington at Tredworth Road at Gloucester, Englands Glory (was New Inn) at London Road at Gloucester, Famous Pint Pot (was Locomotive Inn) at Bruton Way, Gloucester, Glevum Inn at Oxstalls Way at Longlevens, Golden Heart at High Street at Tredworth, Hope Inn at Eastgate Street (pub closed), Kingsholm Inn at Kingsholm Road at Gloucester, Midland and Royal Hotel (closed) at Station Road at Gloucester (two plaques), New Pilot Inn (closed), Southgate Street, Gloucester (two plaques), One Eyed Jacks (was Victoria Inn) at Barton Street, Gloucester, Pig Inn the City (was Lower George Hotel), Westgate Street at Gloucester, Plough Inn at Upton Street, Gloucester, Prince of Wales at Station Road, Gloucester, Princes Plume (closed) at Barton Street, Gloucester, Queens Head at Tewkesbury Road at Longford, Royal Oak at Hucclecote, Seymour at Seymour Road at Gloucester, Victory Hotel at High Street at Tredworth at Gloucester, Wellington Arms at Wellington Street, Whitesmiths Arms at Southgate Street at Gloucester, Ye Olde India House at Barton Street at Gloucester
Gotherington – Shutters Inn at Malleson Road
Greet – Harvest Home (was Gardeners Arms)
Guiting Power – Foxhill Inn (pub closed – rare Cheltenham & Hereford Ales plaque)
Hawkesbury Upton – Fox Inn
Hillesley – Fleece Inn
Huntingford – Rose Inn (pub closed in 1965)
Hyde Nr Minchinhampton – Ragged Cot Inn
Iron Acton – Rose and Crown, High Street
Kilcot Nr Newent – Kilcot Inn
Kilkeney Nr Andoversford – Kilkeney Inn
Kings Stanley – Kings Head
Lechlade – Crown Inn, High Street
Leighterton – Royal Oak
Leonard Stanley – White Hart
Lightpill Nr. Stroud – Cyprus Inn (closed), Fleece Inn
Littledean – Kings Head, Broad Street (pub closed)
Little Washbourne – Ye Old Hobnails Inn
Longfords Nr. Minchinhampton – Weighbridge Inn
Longhope – Yew Tree Inn
Lydney – Cross Keys, Church Road, Fleece Inn (pub closed) at Newerne Street, Greyhound Inn at Tuthill Street, Railway Inn at Hill Street (pub closed)
Maisemore
May Hill – Glasshouse Inn at Glasshouse
Mile End Nr Coleford – Royal Forest Inn
Minchinhampton – Crown Inn, Market Place, Ram Inn (pub closed), Swan Inn at West End (pub closed), Trumpet Inn at West End (pub closed)
Miserden – Carpenters Arms
Mitcheldean – Lamb Inn at New Road
Nailsworth – Britannia
Newent – Black Dog Inn, Red Lion at Broad Street
Newmarket Nr Nailsworth – George Inn
Newport Nr Berkeley – Stagecoach Inn (pub closed in 2019)
Northleach – Wheatsheaf Inn at West End
North Nibley – Black Horse
Norton – Kings Head
Nympsfield – Rose and Crown
Oakridge Lynch – Butchers Arms
Painswick – Falcon Hotel, Royal Oak
Parkend – Woodman Inn (was New Inn)
Prestbury – Beehive Inn, Bouncers Lane, Kings Arms, Plough at Mill Street, Royal Oak at Burgage
Quedgeley – Friar Tucks (was Plough Inn)
Ruardean – Angel Inn, Malt Shovel Inn at The Square
Selsley – Bell Inn
Sharpness – Pier View Hotel at Newtown, Severn Bridge and Railway Hotel (pub closed), Sharpness Hotel (now Sharpness Docks Social Club)
Sheepscombe – Butchers Arms (plaque in front entrance)
Shipton Moyne – Cat and Custard Pot
Shipton Oliffe – Frogmill Inn (plaque in rear entrance)
Shortstanding Nr Berry Hill, Coleford – New Inn
Shurdington – Cheese Rollers (was New Inn)
Slad – Woolpack Inn
South Cerney – Old George Inn
Staunton – Swan Inn, Ledbury Road
Staverton – Pheasant Inn, Plough Inn (pub closed)
Stonehouse – Spa Inn, Oldens Lane (pub closed)
Stow on the Wold – Bell Inn at The Green, Eagle & Child, Roman Court Hotel (was Farmers Arms on junction of A429/A424)
Stroud – Bell Inn at Wallbridge, Bisley House Inn at Middle Street, British Oak at Bowbridge, Crown & Sceptre, Horns Road, Fountain Inn at Slad Road, Golden Fleece at Nelson Street, Greyhound at Gloucester Street\r\nHorse and Groom, Upper Leazes (pub closed), Linton Inn at Bath Road – was Anchor Inn (pub closed), Ye Olde Painswick Inn at Gloucester Street (pub closed)
Tetbury – Crown Inn (pub closed)(also broken plaque on rear gateway), Greyhound at Hampton Street, Talbot Hotel at Market Place (pub closed – plaque painted over)
Tewkesbury – Anchor, High Street, Berkeley Arms at Church Street, Gupshill at Gloucester Road, Kings Head at Barton Street, White Bear at Bredon Road (castle emblem in sign bracket), Ye Old Black Bear
Thrupp – Waggon & Horses
Twyning – Fleet Inn at Upper Soudley, White Horse at Viney Hill
Wainlode Hill Norton Nr Gloucester – Red Lion at Walls Quarry Nr Brimscombe, Yew Tree (Pub Closed)
Wanswell Nr Sharpness – Salmon Inn
Whiteshill – Star Inn
Wickwar – Buthay – was New Inn
Winchcombe – Corner Cupboard Inn at Gloucester Street, White Hart
Witcombe – Twelve Bells
Woodchester – Old Fleece
Wotton-Under-Edge – Royal Oak 3-5 Haw Street, Salutation Inn, 7 Coombe Road (pub closed in 1974), Shearmans Arms at School Road (pub closed in 1975), Star Inn at 21 Market Street, White Lion at Long Street (pub closed)
Yorkley – Bailey Inn, Nags Head


Gwent

Pandy – Old Pandy Inn


Herefordshire

Ashperton – Hopton Arms
Bagwyllydiart – New Inn (pub closed)
Bishops Frome – Chase Inn
Bosbury – Bell
Bridge Sollars – Lord Nelson
Broad Oak – Broad Oak Inn (Pub Closed)
Bromyard – Crown and Sceptre, Railway Inn (Pub Closed), White Horse (Pub Closed)
Clehonger – Seven Stars
Colwall – Chase Inn, Upper Colwall, Yew Tree
Dilwyn – Crown Inn

Docklow – Kings Head (also with castle emblem on pub sign)
Garway Common – Garway Moon
Gorsley – Roadmaker Inn
Harewood End – Harewood End Inn
Hereford

Bay Horse at 236 Kings Acre Road

Black Lion at 31 Bridge Street,

Britannia Inn at 7 Cotterell Street,

Broad Leys at 93 Ross Road,

Buckingham at 141 Whitecross Road,

Commercial Hotel at 44 Commercial Street,

Cotterell Arms at 65 – 67 Cotterell Street,

Golden Fleece, 1 St. Owen Street,

Golden Lion at 36 Grandstand Road,

Imperial at 31 Widemarsh Street,

Lamb Hotel (now ‘Barrels’) at 69 St Owen Street,

Merton Hotel at 28 Commercial Road,

Moorfield Inn at 33 Moorfield Street,

Moss Cottage Inn at Foley Street (now Hum Ming Garden),

New Harp at 32 Union Street (now called Bar Spirit),

Olde Harp (now called Herdsman) at 54 Widemarsh Street,

Oxford Arms at 111 Widemarsh Street,

Plough at 86 Whitecross Road,

Queens Arms Hotel at 4 Broad Street,

Rose and Crown at Ledbury Road,

Salmon Inn at Hampton Park Road,

Saracens Head at1 St. Martins Street,

Sawyers Rest at Brecon Road?(pub closed. Also retains West Country Ales sign bracket),

Ship Inn at Cross Street, Greyfriars Bridge, Sportsman (see Sawyers Rest),

Sun Inn at 71 St Owen Street (now Archways Health & Fitness),

Treacle Mine (was Crown Inn) at 85 St. Martins Street,

Victory at 88 St Owen Street,

Volunteer Inn at 21 Harold Street (West Country Breweries Castle in ironwork on pub sign),

Wye Inn at Holme Lacy Road, HR2 6EF.
Kingstone – Bull Ring
Kington – Castle Inn at 31 Church Street (pub closed), Queens Head at 51 Bridge Street
Ledbury – New Inn (pub closed), Plough Hotel, The Homend (pub closed), Prince of Wales, Seven Stars
Leominster – Barons Cross Inn at Barons Cross Road,

Black Horse at 74 South Street,

Bulls Head at 50 West Street (now ‘Connolly’s’),

Dukes Arms (now‘Gingers’),

Golden Lion (pub closed),

Queens Head at Bridge Street,

Radnorshire Arms at 85 Bargates,

Three Horseshoes at Corn Square (also castle emblem in pub sign bracket) ,

White Lion at Etnam Street

Little Dewchurch – Plough

Mathon – Cliffe Arms (with West Country Breweries castle emblem in pub sign bracket)
Monkland Nr. Leominster – Monkland Arms
Much Birch – Axe and Cleaver
Newtown Cross – Newtown Inn
Norton Cannon – Three Horseshoes
Orcop – Fountain
Orleton – Maidenhead
Pembridge – Kings Head (now Kings House restaurant), New Inn (castle emblem in pub sign bracket)
Peterchurch – Nags Head
Peterstow – Yew Tree (castle emblem in pub sign bracket)
Preston on Wye – Yew Tree
Ross on Wye – Crown & Sceptre, Eagle Inn, Horse & Jockey, Man of Ross, Plough Inn (pub closed), Vine Tree
Staplow – Oak (Castle sign has been reported there)
Stoke Prior – Lamb Inn
Sutton St. Nicholas – Golden Cross
Tarrington – Tarrington Arms
Weston under Penyard – Weston Cross Inn
Wigmore – Olde Oak Inn (Cheltenham & Hereford Ales plaque set into the pavement at the front. Also newer Best In West one at left of doorway)
Woolhope – Crown


Monmouthshire

Chepstow – Kings Head at Welsh Street, Three Tuns Inn at Bridge Street, Old Bell Chambers (Cheltenham and Hereford sign)
Monmouth – Robin Hood


Oxfordshire

Coleshill – Radnor Arms
Shrivenham – Crown


Powys

Knighton – George & Dragon, Red Lion Hotel
Presteigne – Farmers Inn at Hereford Street
Walton – Crown Inn


South Gloucestershire

Iron Acton – Rose and Crown
Old Sodbury – Dog Inn


Wiltshire

Acton Tourville – Fox and Hounds
Ashton Keynes– Plough Inn (pub closed)
Axford– Red Lion, White Hart
Bradenstoke– Cross Keys
Brinkworth– Three Crowns
Calne – Holley’s Brewhouse (was London Road Inn)
Charlton – Horse & Groom
Corston – Radnor Arms
Cricklade – Red Lion
Crudwell – Plough Inn
Great Somerford – Volunteer
Highworth – White Horse
Hullavington – Queens Head (pub closed in 1998), Star Inn
Little Somerford – Saladin (was Three Crowns)
Malmesbury – Borough Arms, Duke of York, Kings Arms, Three Cups (pub closed), White Lion (pub closed in 1967)
Marlborough – Queens Head, Wellington Arms (two plaques)
Minety – Turnpike
Oaksey – Wheatsheaf
Pinkney – Eagle Inn (closed in 1998)
Purton – New Greyhound
Quemeford Nr. Calne – Talbot Inn
Sherston – Angel Inn (pub closed in 1990), Carpenters Arms
Swindon – Castle Hotel, Cock Robin at Parks Estate (five plaques!! – pub closed 2003), Frome Hotel (pub closed in 1978)”])
Upper Seagry – New Inn
Wanborough – Cross Keys
Harrow – New Calley Arms
West Overton – Bell Inn
Widcombe – White Hart
Winterbourne Monkton – New Inn
Wotton Bassett – Angel, Crown
Yatton Keynell – Bell Inn


Worcestershire

Bewdley – Red Lion
Bredon – Royal Oak
Evesham – Angel Vaults (two plaques), Northwick Arms Hotel
Hanley Swan – Swan
Kempsey Nr. Worcester – Walter De Cantelope Inn
Malvern – Cross Keys at Belmont Road, North Malvern (with castle emblem in pub sign bracket), Cavalry Arms at Clarence Road, Great Malvern, North Malvern House Hotel (pub closed), Royal Oak at Malvern Link (pub closed)
Ombersley – Wing Fat Chinese Restaurant – name of old pub not known
Overbury – Star Inn (pub closed)
Pershore – Angel Inn and Posting House, Millers Arms, Talbot Inn

Stourport on Severn

Rock Tavern, Wilden Lane


Worcester – Berwick at 250 Bath Road, Southfield Stores at 26 Southfield Street (closed)


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