New Inn, Coleford

History

The New Inn is a charming, 13th century building of white rendered old cob walls under a wheat read thatched roof and with the river Cole running along one wall, the original ford would have been directly in front of the Inn. The stream is now breached by an attractive little rounded stone bridge. In one part of the building which was once an open sided barn, you can see structural beams running from the floor to the first floor ceiling which support the roof. The New Inn has been acknowledged by English Heritage as a building of particular interest and has therefore been given a Grade II listing.

Tales are told of the Inn being a monk's retreat in the early Middle Ages and of the resident ghost of one, Sebastian. Carole and George, the owners, have yet to make his acquaintance.

During the days of the English Civil War, Charles I is supposed to have reviewed his troops whilst standing under the porch of Spencer Cottage, almost next door to the Inn, before one of the last scurmages at the next village of Bow. Spencer Cottage is still standing.

Food & beverage

An English breakfast is included and cooked to order but also on offer are muesli, fruit, yoghurts - smoked haddock and kippers. All eggs are free range and local as is the delicous bacon.

Lunch and dinner is served seven days a week with a blackboard menu in the Bar listing the current offering and regularly changes according to the season and the market offerings. The Bar is open from 12 noon to 2.30pm and from 6.00pm to 11.00pm.

On the last Friday of each month from April to October, a Pig Roast is held which must be pre-booked in order to get a table.

Grounds & Gardens

The garden contains a covered arbour area where a delightful old wisteria cascades down with greenery and purple blooms in early summer. On the other side, the garden has paved flagstones as well as a grass and a decking area under the weeping willow by the babbling stream. In summertime there are enormous hanging baskets of flowers all around and at night, both the garden and the car park have outside lighting. Solid teak furniture and parasols complete the picture.

Other facilities

Internet Access is available in some rooms only. All bedrooms apart from the twin feature comfortable, King size luxury beds and all have flatscreen TV with DVD (choose from the in house DVD library), clock radio with CD player, extra large fluffy white towels and complimentary toiletries, hospitality tray, hairdryer and bottled spring water and biscuits.

A large car parking area for guests is at the rear of the Inn.