New Inn Hotel

It's 'new' in the sense of being '1450 new' 🧐

Wandering the streets of Gloucester, up Westgate and down Eastgate, through Southgate and along Northgate, was both a journey of a tourist as well as one of a student as I slowly regained my late 1980s bearings.

I love old shit, we all know that, and the outside of The New Inn was too good not to venture in. Wow, it was like stepping back in time and you could imagine the smells, sounds, and sights of centuries of occupation, conviviality, sales, and living.

It is the most complete surviving example of a medieval courtyard inn with galleries in Britain, and is a Grade I listed building. The announcement of Lady Jane Grey's succession to the English throne was made from the Inn gallery in 1553.

What a stumble upon tourist find, I was a happy chappy.

Nowadays the Inn is a restaurant, pub, and 36 bedroomed hotel, together with a coffee shop and two function rooms. Of course, it is supposedly haunted, be a disappointment if it wasn't eh.

Two signs at the entrance:

NEW INN HOTEL TARIFF

Passengers Superior Accommodation 7s 6d

Coachmen & Ostler Accommodation 3s 0d

Full Livery & Stabling, per Horse 1s 6d

Horses changed, Trace Horses (pair) 2s 6d

~ Harness repairs undertaken ~

Josiah Chapman Inn Keeper

The New Inn's Permanent Guests!

It was at the New Inn in 1553 that Lady Jane Grey heard the news that would lead to her untimely death.

She was manipulated by the Duke of Northumberland, who had ambitions to rule the country through her. He arranged a marriage for her to his son, and persuaded the 12 year old Edward VI.who was dying of tuberculosis, to sign a will bequeathing the crown to her.

The young king soon died and it was from the gallery of the New Inn that Lady Jane was proclaimed the new Queen.

It was not long before her cause was weakened as support for her rival, Mary, escalated throughout the land.

In 1554. Mary, now Queen of England'reluctantly passed sentence on her rival, and Lady Jane and her husband were beheaded in the Tower of London.

From that century to modern times, there have been many reported sightings of ghostly figures around the premises, along with reports of glasses and bottles being moved.

They are believed to be the work of a restless spirit.

The New Inn has been described as the finest example of a Medieval Galleried Inn to be seen in Britain today. With it's richly carved detail, it is a must for history seekers Visiting Gloucester.

A Brief history

The New Inn was originally built as a Pilgrim's Inn to house visitors to the shrine of King Edward II in St Peter's Abbey. Rebuilt in 1455, it was hugely popular throughout the Middle Ages with a vast retinue of Knights. Yeomen and Gentlemen lodging due to the popularity of holidays in Gloucester at this time.

Various changes through the years have included two small shops opening into Northgate Street, two square stone flagged courtyards and a gilded lion grasping a serpent (symbolising the triumph of good over evil).

In the 16th century strolling minstrels were popular and plays were staged in the courtyard-it is said that William Shakespeare once appeared there. The inn boasted the city's first tennis court during Tudor times, and in the 18th century was noted as a venue for the unusual and bizarre. New additions to the building were added around this time-a brewhouse and malthouse. In 1858 the inn was bought freehold by the Berry family who owned it until 1942. The New Inn is now part of the Chapman Group.