Beautiful Country Pubs
Bristol, Bath
& Gloucester
The Vintage Inns of Bristol, Bath &
Gloucester Collection
From Jane Austen’s Bath to the trading legacy of Bristol and its docks and beyond
into Gloucester, this area is home to some of the country’s richest cultural heritage
and some of its most beautiful landscapes; the seven Inns in the Vintage Inns of
Bath &Bristol Collection are woven into its fabric.
Most of our inns can trace their history back for several centuries, perhaps the
oldest being The Willy Wicket at Downend which dates back to the 13th century.
Some, such as The Brassmill at Keynsham, one of the country’s original brass
manufacturing centres, has played a direct role in the making of history.
Without exception, they serve the very best pub fayre – delicious wines, fine cask
conditioned ales and of course terrific pub food. They all make excellent bases from
which to go exploring, or to relax over a great meal and recount
the day’s adventures with friends.
There is so much to enjoy: strike out from The Priory at Portbury for bracing sea air
and stunning views of the Severn Estuary; explore the many delightful nature parks,
leafy woodlands and countryside paths from The Fox Den at Stoke Gifford or The
Globe at picturesque Newton St Loe; head for city centre attractions like the SS
Great Britain from The Dovecote.
Whether you’re visiting us in summer or winter our inns offer comfortable
surroundings to match your mood. If the day calls for log fires, we’ll have them
roaring and ready along with great food to warm you up; and if the weather is fine
we have refreshing drinks and light snacks to put a spring in your step.
Whatever you’re interested in: coast or country, malls or museums, you can be sure
of a warm welcome at any time of year at all of our inns.
Contents
Willy Wicket – Downend
The Globe– Newton St. Loe
The Dovecote – Bristol
Fox Den – Stoke Gifford
The Brassmill – Keynsham
The Priory – Portbury
The Bumblebee – Quedgeley near Gloucester
Information
Waterside walks
Heritage sites
National Trust sites
Visitor attractions
Museums
Countryside walks
The Vintage Inns
of Bristol & Bath
Gloucester
A38
A48
Bumble Bee
M5
A48
M48
A403
M4
A403
Bristol
Channel
M5
M4
A46
Fox Den
M5
A38
A4
The Priory
Willy Wicket
M4
M32
Bristol
The Dovecote
A432
A4174
River Avon
A46
A4
The Brassmill
A37
A36
A39
The Globe
A40
M5
Willy Wicket
Badminton Road, Downend, Bristol, BS36 1DP
Tel. 0117 9567308
The Willy Wicket may be one of the more eccentric British pub names but
it takes its business of serving first class food and drink very seriously – it’s a
tradition going back hundreds of years.
Its name derives from the ancient Wick Wick Farm - county assize records
show it as Wekwicha in 1221. ‘Wic’ is old English for dairy farm and ‘wike’
was derived from an old surname, so it means Wick’s Dairy Farm!
For a good day out...
• Start off with morning coffee and
perhaps a bite to eat at The Willy
Wicket where you can plan your day.
Wick Wick Farm was well known for its delicious meat pies, known as throne
pies on account of their height, and in the 1920s it had a reputation for its
mouth-watering apple dumplings. The pub continues to serve delicious fayre
to this day.
• Strike out to Dyrham Park to
uncover its marvellous 18th
century treasures.
Not everyone appreciates good food though – during World War II a stray
bomber, probably heading for the airfield at Filton, dropped its load on Wick
Wick Farm scoring a direct hit with one bomb and cratering the fields with
two others.
• Come back to The Willy Wicket for
an early dinner before heading off to
sample evening entertainment
in Bristol.
Downend’s greatest claim to fame is of being the birthplace of beardy
cricketing legend WG Grace. It also offers many nooks and crannies to
explore. A nearby footpath joins the Community Forest Path into Stoke
Gifford, which links some of the area’s most ancient country estates. Oldbury
Court Estate is a good stretch at four miles or so but its grounds make for
good adventure, with great views over the River Frome.
For the sporty, there’s The Kendleshire Golf Club about a mile and a half
away and tennis at Cleeve Hill Tennis Club. A little further away, The
Avon Valley Railway offers a six mile return train ride along the former
Mangotsfield to Bath Green Park, taking in rare views of the Avon Valley on
the way.
And then there’s always the delights of vibrant Bristol to be enjoyed.
For more information about The Willy Wicket at Downend, and the surrounding area,
visit www.vintageinn.co.uk/thewillywicketdownend
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The Globe
Newton St. Loe, Bath, BA2 9BB
Tel. 01225 872891
If you like to sit and watch the world go by, The Globe is the perfect pub to
do it as it sits on the main A4 between Bristol and Bath. Built in the 17th
century, it has been offering rest and refreshment for travellers making their
way through Newton St. Loe for well over 300 years – and it takes great
pride in continuing this tradition today.
Always at the heart of village life, the pub even gave its name to the old
colliery here. The west side was added in the 1800s, with the east side still
containing remnants of the original building.
Good food has always been important at The Globe - angling feasts were
held here in the 1700s, and by 1800 the site incorporated its own pig sty
and an orchard. It also used to make its own ale and local ovens were used to
dry the malt.
A footpath passes the pub leading to Wansdyke, a long defensive ditch and
bank built in the Dark Ages between 400 and 700 AD, and then on to
Stanton Prior and Marksbury. In the other direction the path joins the River
Avon footpath into the centre of Bath and branches into Keynsham and the
Avon Valley Country Park.
A classic day out...
• Take in Jane Austen’s Bath in the
morning – The Royal Crescent, the
Pump Room; there’s even a Jane
Austen Centre.
• Join us at The Globe and enjoy a
long, leisurely lunch while you watch
the world turn.
• Explore the beautiful countryside
around the Avon Valley.
The majority of Newton St Loe is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall and is
perhaps best known for the Newton Park Mansion Estate which is home
to Bath Spa University. As a result it has retained its character and heritage,
and is worth strolling around. Noted in the Domesday Book, Holy Trinity
Church has a distinctive clock with just a single hand.
Just a few miles down the road, Bath presents a clash of worlds: a blend
of Jane Austen meets the 21st century, with much to see from the famous
Pump Room and Roman Baths to very upmarket and sophisticated shops
and boutiques.
For more details about The Globe and the area around Newton St Loe,
visit www.vintageinn.co.uk/theglobenewtonsaintloe
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The Dovecote
Ashton Road, Bristol, BS41 9LX
Tel. 01275 392245
Centuries old and steeped in country life, The Dovecote in Bristol offers a
truly historic setting in which to enjoy the very best in traditional pub food,
fine cask conditioned ales and delicious wines.
The Dovecote was originally a farm cottage and parts date to the 1650s.
Its connection with hospitality evolved from its location on Ashton
Road, which led to it becoming The Coach and Horses, offering rest and
refreshment to travellers between Bristol and the West. The inn was renamed
The Smyth Arms after the lords of the manor in 1749.
There is a nearby footpath to the Community Forest Path, and it is possible
to walk or cycle into the magnificent Ashton Court Estate and then on to
the Monarch’s Way. This is Britain’s second-longest signed walking trail, a
lengthy, meandering route following the flight of Charles II after his defeat
at the Battle of Worcester in 1651.
If you have a day or two to spend, nearby Bristol will spoil you for choice
with first rate sights such as Brunel’s SS Great Britain, or more modern
attractions such as its many high quality shops.
Looking for
a great day out...
• Why not spend the morning soaking
up the history and engineering genius
aboard the SS Great Britain?
• With your appetite whetted, The
Dovecote is conveniently placed to
provide a hearty lunch and keep you
in the mood for more exploration.
• Enjoy a walk to Ashton Court Estate
for breathtaking views over Bristol.
Seek out St Nicholas Market: four flat topped pillars called the Nails are still
in Corn Street. Merchants would strike one of the Nails when a deal was
done giving rise to the expression ‘to pay on the Nail’. St Nicholas Market
was built in 1743 next door to the Exchange which now sells arts and crafts,
books, bric a brac, jewellery, and a variety of exotic foods.
Once the residence of a sugar plantation owner, the Georgian House is a
beautiful, late 18th century six-storey townhouse at No 7, Great George
Street, decorated and furnished true to the period. If you have time, Bristol
Zoo and the Gardens are well worth a visit.
There’s more information about The Dovecote, and the many things to see and do in the area,
at www.vintageinn.co.uk/thedovecotebristol
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Fox Den
New Road, Stoke Gifford, Bristol, BS34 8TJ
Tel. 011797 91861
Distinctive and quaint, The Fox Den is a delightful hostelry offering the very
best of British hospitality in the village of Stoke Gifford, a peaceful haven
on the outskirts of Bristol.
The pub has evolved from a row of period terraced cottages and now offers
its many guests a pleasant corner in which to enjoy a glass of their favourite
brew along with a delicious bite to eat.
From the pub you can take a series of walks around Stoke Gifford, which
has a long and eccentric history - in latter days, a boundary dispute with
Winterbourne was settled by a fight between two women – Stoke Gifford
won. Of greater note, in the 1970s, Bristol University unearthed a Roman
settlement containing many artefacts, and two human skeletons.
There is a footpath east from the pub through Harry Stoke leading to the
Community Forest Path which links some of the area’s appealing and ancient
country estates. Blaise Castle House is one such.
For an entertaining day out...
• Thrill at the sight of Concorde at
Filton, still the only supersonic
passenger jet ever
to enter service.
• Ease back a notch and relax over a
long lunch at The Fox Den.
• Explore one of the many walks
around Stoke Gifford, and perhaps
return to us for a well earned dinner.
Blaise has a museum that’s packed with interest, and is set in beautiful
parkland. Among its collections are model trains, dolls and toy soldiers;
sumptuous costumes and accessories; a Victorian schoolroom and a history
of the estate. And Oldbury Court Estate lends itself to exploration, with
great views over the River Frome, though there is no house there any more.
More recent history will be of interest to flying enthusiasts: nearby Filton
has been linked with the aircraft industry since 1908. Its factories produced
aircraft and engines throughout both World Wars and later became the main
UK centre for Concorde, with one of the fleet now the centre of a popular
visitor attraction.
Then, of course, there’s always Bristol, a vibrant city packed with historical
interest, yet with many modern attractions: theatres, museums, art galleries,
and exciting shopping areas.
To find out more about The Fox Den and attractions in and around Stoke Gifford,
visit www.vintageinn.co.uk/thefoxdenstokegifford
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The Brassmill
Avon Mill Lane, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 2UG
Tel. 01179 867280
The Avon Valley evokes idyllic images of rich verdant landscape, winding
gentle waters and quiet country pubs – and at its heart you’ll find The
Brassmill at Keynsham.
With its still, green millpond and ducks, and standing by a foaming weir,
this listed building with its exposed wooden beams could not be more
appealing as a place to enjoy some delicious pub fayre.
Yet in the early 18th century the mill, sitting by the Kennet and Avon Canal,
was one of the seedbeds for the nascent industrial revolution. Abraham
Darby established the first brass mills in Keynsham around 1706, and The
Brassmill played an integral part in the development of the industry. Some
of the last brass battery pans to be made in Britain were produced here as
late as 1927.
The small town of Keynsham is a pleasant five minute stroll from the pub.
Look out for prehistoric fossil ammonites along the way. According to
folklore, the fossils were snakes that were turned to stone through the prayers
of St Keyne.
There’s so much to do...
• Bristol’s many attractions offer rich
and varied entertainment – more
than enough to fill a morning.
• A leisurely canalside walk
or perhaps a wander through
the local woodlands will whet
your appetite.
• Round off your day with a hearty
mouth-watering feast
at The Brassmill.
If you’ve an appetite for exercise you can walk, cycle, or take a boat from the
lock at Keynsham along the Kennet & Avon Canal all the way to Reading –
it’s just over 86 miles!
On the town outskirts lie the Humpy Tumps, a rich grassland site. You
could wander through the Manor Road Woodland and nearby is the Avon
Valley Country Park. The area is rich in history – there are plentiful Roman
remains and the town played a part in the English Civil War.
Just down the road, Bristol offers a rich variety of entertainment and
leisure. There’s some excellent shopping with major stores and high quality
boutiques and there are sights such as the Clifton Suspension Bridge and
fascinating attractions such as the SS Great Britain.
Find out more about The Brassmill, Keynsham, and more about the area, by
visiting www.vintageinn.co.uk/thebrassmillkeynsham
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The Priory
Station Road, Portbury, Bristol, BS20 7TN
Tel. 01275 376307
A grand white building dating to 1822, The Priory stands as a bold landmark
pub in Portbury and a beacon for those seeking good food and drink in
distinctive surroundings.
While it was a former hotel, underground passages link The Priory to
Portbury Monastery, possibly an escape route for those fleeing persecution –
the pub is named after the priory that once stood in Portbury and its history
clearly goes back further than the present building’s Georgian origins.
There is a footpath leading past the pub from Prior’s Wood to The Mount
and Windmill Hill. And there are cycle paths to Portishead and the River
Severn, and over the River Avon into Avonmouth.
If you’re here at the right time of year, the bluebells in Prior’s Wood are quite
spectacular, and this ancient woodland with its streams and plantations is
wildlife-rich and always worth a tour. Look out for buzzards, garden warblers,
chiffchaffs and spotted flycatchers. There is also a large badger population.
The sea is naturally of great influence on the area and it always fires the
imagination. With sweeping views of the Severn Estuary, the Welsh coastline,
and both Severn Bridges, nearby Portishead is an overlooked gem.
For a terrific day of sea
and city...
• Choose from one of the many
attractions in Bristol such as the
Georgian House and immerse
yourself in history.
• A short drive takes you to
The Priory at Portbury where
you can enjoy a delicious meal in
surroundings of great character.
• Enjoy an afternoon in Portishead
with its terrific views of the Severn
Estuary.
At its picturesque Lake Grounds there are activities for all ages, and there’s a
traditional Victorian High Street with a mix of original shops and modern
stores. Portishead has a heated open-air swimming pool and a leisure centre;
there’s a new marina and the town is home to several acclaimed sculptures,
including the monumental ‘Angels of Portishead’.
If you prefer the delights of a vibrant city, then Bristol has them aplenty as
well as the cultural legacy of hundreds of years as a trading port. Spare a little
time for The Georgian House, a terrific museum decorated and furnished in
period style.
For more information about The Priory and attractions in and around Portbury, visit:
www.vintageinn.co.uk/theprioryportbury
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Bumble Bee
Waterwells Business Park, Quedgeley, Gloucester GL2 2AB
Tel. 01452 727041
The pub itself may be a relatively new building, but Quedgeley was once an
ancient village. And although it’s now more of a suburb of Gloucester, the
olde worlde connection can still be seen in its imposing church and the few
remaining timber framed buildings with thatched roofs.
Indeed, Waterwells, where the Bumble Bee is situated, is mentioned as early
as 1605 and was part of a parish noted for its many fresh water springs. In
1901 the land was mainly meadow, but by the 1930’s large orchards had
been planted – and these were probably to supply G.H.Mayo and Sons, an
expanding cider makers and fruit merchants.
Quedgeley is located to the south west of the cathedral city of Gloucester
and also just a few miles from the Cotswolds, while the Bumble Bee is set
in beautiful gardens near Waterwells Business Park. Its proximity to the
junction 12 of the M5 makes it an ideal stopover for travellers making their
way to Bristol; and for your accommodation requirements the Holiday Inn
Express Gloucester South is situated next door.
The 16 mile Gloucester & Sharpness Canal (with its well maintained
towpath) also flows nearby and despite its industrial heritage has a charming
rural aspect in and around Quedgeley – with pleasure boats regularly sailing
past to and from the refurbished Gloucester Docks.
If you’re buzzing around...
• Do what the locals do and wander
down to and around Carters Orchard.
• Quedgeley Pond is a local marshland
area that is home to some rare
species of birds.
• Nearby Robinswood Hill Country
Park offers 250 acres of countryside
with pleasant walks & views; way
marked nature, geology & horse
trails, a Gloucestershire Wildlife
Trust visitor centre, plus a rare
breeds farm.
This is home to the National Waterways Museum and it unveils the mystery
and history behind the 200 year old tale of inland waterways. Enter through
a lock chamber, with its running water and explore the hands on displays,
working engines, archive film and fun interactives.
For details on more attractions around Quedgeley and Gloucester, plus other ideas for days out in the area,
visit www.vintageinn.co.uk/thebumblebeegloucester/
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