The Nelson Inn, Far Oakridge
Title
Description
Photographs L - R, T - B
1. The Nelson Inn, Far Oakridge c. 1940's
2. The Nelson Inn, Far Oakridge
3. Landlord & Landlady Outside the Nelson Inn
4. Mr Blackwell and Family, one of the last owners of the Nelson Inn
5,6. Mrs Blackwell, one of the last landladies of the Nelson Inn
7. Locals at The Nelson Inn, Far Oakridge
Back : Tommy Hunt, ? ,Reg Blackwell, ? ,Larry and Doris Conners - Landlords
Front ? and in front of the Settle, Dick Dangerfield Senior
8. Transcription from a newspaper article 'The Missing Litteridge Cross'
The original part of this building dates from about 1640 and it was probably a farm labourer's or woodcutter's cottage. The end barn on the top row of buildings dates from the same period, and was possibly part of the outbuildings of Iles Green Farm, in which case the cottager would have been a worker on that farm.
Of interest is the carved stone incorporated in the rear wall of the barn. It was once thought that this may have been a medieval cross, but in 1938 expert advice suggested that it was more likely to be the lid of a coffin, probably from Bisley church. (See the attached press cutting from the time)
In the early period an extension was added to the cottage and this contained the bar parlour on the ground floor and a bedroom above. In 1977 a further bed room was added and considerable alterations were made to the interior. The cottage and farm were scheduled as buildings of architectural or historic interest under the 1948/9 Town and County Planning Regulations.
The title deeds of the property are not complete and the first recorded mention is dated 1766, when the property was in the hands of the Watkins family. The Stroud Brewery Company bought the pub in 1921, although it had rented it before that date. There is no clear record of the licensees before Manin Buckland in 1901, who was followed by Mrs Phipps in about 1920 and then Mr Short.
When the licence was surrendered Mr and Mrs Conners bought the house and land.
Daisy Hunt (nee Phipps) can remember when her mother and father had the inn:
In those days the pub was a nice friendly pub, with two large rooms on the ground floor which were used by customers. We had more people in the summer months, they used to call in while going out for a walk. In the winter months it was cold, we had high-back settles to keep out the draughts. These used to be polished regularly. It was not necessarily a working men's pub, which I believe it used to be earlier, but a pub for everyone who wished to come. We had games such as darts, skittles, coets.
The pub had a small holding, which enabled the licensees to supplement their income. Each half or pint of cider, stout or beer had to be carried up the stone steps from the cellar. The Nelson supported some colourful local characters who sometimes poached rabbits, hares, pheasants and partridge for their drink.
There are many stories about the people who frequented the inn. It is known that Max Beerbohm used to buy his cigarettes here, and there were stories of visits by Oscar Wilde. Robert Mawdsley, who lived in the village and was a member of the original Archers cast, was a frequent visitor and held it in high esteem.
Source
Date
Relation
1. Scrapbook containing printed and ms. material including sale particulars for the Nelson Inn and farm, Oakridge, 1872;, ref. D4693/15
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