The New Inn, Gloucester

Very old building in less than old setting, the court yard and building are ancient and fantastic. However, inside, despite keeping an old feel, beams n all, I can't help but feel its a little tired. Sure its old, but it has a feeling of needing a little more love. The loud piped music doesn't help. 4 real ales kept ok 10 for the outside, harsh 6 for the in

An ancient building, built 1430-1450 so not that new now, originally owned by Gloucester Abbey until the Reformation. Reached through a narrow archway leading into a small galleried courtyard. There are multiple rooms leading off this yard, one labelled Pilgrim Brewery, another Chapman’s Emporium, at the front is Grey’s Coffee House, there's so much going on in fact that a signpost is needed on a gas lamp in the middle of the yard. The bar is to the right in a long room running down one side of the courtyard. There’s quite a mix of wooden tables, chairs and settles and lots of old beams but it doesn’t feel like a museum piece, and there is a good mix of customers. The long dog-leg counter has a group of seven pulls but only three in operation with a pedestrian choice of Pedigree, Spitfire or Butcombe Bitter which was in really good condition. The gents are across the yard behind the “Pilgrim Brewery”.

It’s fair to say that this historic coaching Inn dating back to 1430 is one of the more spectacular pubs you will come across. It is recognized as being the best preserved medieval galleried inn in the country at one time was also thought to be the country’s largest pub. The baffling name for such an old building refers to the fact that there was a previous inn on the site. From Northgate Street, a large double door leads from the street into a flowed decked open central courtyard surrounded by 3 storeys of timber framed buildings. If the main doors are closed (outside of normal opening hours) there is a small entrance down New Inn Lane through which it is usually possible to gain access. Shakespear is reputed to have performed here (possible but no concrete evidence to support it) and it is also a haven for paranormal activity (didn’t see any evidence of this either). It is known that Lady Jane Grey was staying here when she was proclaimed Queen. It is certainly not hard to imagine old coaches pulling in and the sound of hooves against the flagstones but for all its olde worlde charm, the pub sadly lets itself down in several areas. The main bar to the right of the courtyard as you go in has all the pre-requisite historic nuances but on closer inspection is looking very tired and tatty around the edges and in need of a good overhaul. Adjacent to the main bar is an extended area with big screen TV that was empty despite the pub, and the courtyard in particular, being very busy. Service was quite poor and I had to check to see that I hadn’t accidently worn my invisibility cloak. I noted 8 hand pumps of which 3 were initially off, the rest offering a Best Bitter (brand unknown), Morland Old Speckled Hen, Greene King Bonkers Conkers, Hancocks Penned In and Hancocks Plum Treat. Whilst we were there O’Hanlon Stormstay was put on but was very cloudy. On the whole we were not too impressed with the service or cellar management. The other sides to the courtyard housed what appeared to be more in the way of restaurant and dining areas so aside from having a peek, I didn’t really venture that far. A mock up New Inn Brewery display can also be seen through a window next to the toilets. Any first time visitor to Gloucester will inevitably have the pub on their list of must visits even if it is just to soak up the historic atmosphere of the place. Whether regular discerning drinkers will be keen to make it a regular stop is however open to debate. With a bit a good clean and brush up and better management, the place would easily be worth a couple of extra points in the ratings. I hope it eventually gets there because the place doesn’t really need much else to sell itself.