History in the heart of the Community
More than just a pub. Once a Tudor farmhouse, now a CAMRA National Inventory Heritage Pub, The Fleece has served the community for centuries.
The Fleece Inn is the perfect rural retreat just a stone's throw from the beautiful Cotswold's boasting roaring open fires for the winter months, open garden and apple orchard for the summer sun and a friendly welcome all year round.
With real ales and ciders aplenty this historical pub is a favourite with Real Ale lovers, and the welcoming atmosphere and good food attract visitors from all over the world.
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We are open all day for drinks. Food served Mon - Sat 12-2.30 & 6-9pm, Sun 12-8pm. Dogs & families welcome.
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You may have seen our building on a recent political leaflet. This was used without our knowledge or consent, and we want to be clear: we’re not affiliated with any political party.
Pubs have always been places for conversation and connection. We welcome dialogue, but we won’t ever stand behind politics that divide communities, single people out, or make anyone feel unwelcome. We will not tolerate discrimination or hate speech. Our doors are open to all, and everyone should feel safe and respected here.
Our pub is, and always will be, a welcoming, inclusive space for everyone in our community and beyond, no matter your background, beliefs, or politics.
Welcome in, kind stranger.
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A pub steeped in history
The Fleece Inn is a pub steeped in history, originally built in the early 15th century by a farmer named Byrd, the pub remained in the ownership of the same family until 1977. The last of the descendants was Miss Lola Taplin, a formidable character remembered by many of the locals, Lola bequeathed the pub to the National Trust when she died in 1977.
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It remains largely unchanged, although it now serves delicious pub grub and most famously pays homage to the locally grown vegetable Asparagus during May and June. During the winter months traditional English favourites feature largely on the menu such as our famous Pies and locally made Faggots. When the summer months roll around the seasonally changed menu features popular choices such as traditional Ploughmans and the legendary Fleece Inn burger.
Traditionally English
With its roots in rural England the Fleece Inn celebrates all things traditionally English at any opportunity. During the year the pub hosts various annual festivals the most famous of which is the British Asparagus Festival Day at the end of May. Thousands visit the grounds of the National Trust property situated in the centre of the village of Bretforton to sample some of the local produce and enjoy family entertainment and traditional rural activities. During October the annual Apple and Ale festival takes place sporting over 40 real ales and ciders to sample.
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Each Thursday evening is Folk night for the locals in the Pewter room and the Mediaeval Barn situated in the courtyard of the grounds is often graced by some of the most well regarded Folk and Acoustic artists of the modern day, from Breabach to Martin Simpson.
The Book
In 2015 “A Workingman’s Castle”, A history of The Fleece Inn by Christopher Mowbray was published. Available at the bar, via our online shop, local shops and Tourist Information Centres.
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Written and researched by local journalist and author, Chris Mowbray, with the help and guidance of The Fleece’s landlord, Nigel Smith, the book outlines how the building and its contents represent a unique time capsule which mirrors centuries of rural working class life.
‘A Workingman’s Castle’, unveils the full story of The Fleece Inn and tells how a humble dwelling built as a temporary peasant farmhouse around 1425, eventually became a national treasure attracting visitors from all over the world.
History
The Fleece Inn is without equal in England and has played an enormous part in six centuries of Cotswold history. It was originally built as a longhouse in the time of Chaucer by a farmer named Byrd and remained in the ownership of a single family for virtually the whole time. It has remained largely undisturbed in its architecture since the mid 17th century.
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A pub steeped in history like the Fleece has many stories to tell. The building was already 71 years old when the Lancastrians marched by on their way to final defeat in the Wars of the Roses at the Battle of Tewksbury, and it was 200 years old when the Gunpowder Plotters rode past on their ill-fated attempt to blow up Parliament.
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​But it’s the people who make a pub and its last private owner, Miss Lola Taplin, whose character is most stamped on The Fleece (or ‘The Ark’ as is was known to the local folk). A direct descendent of the man who built the inn, she lived in it for all her 77 years until she passed away in 1977 in front of the fire in the snug. Lola bequeathed the inn to The National Trust making it the first pub in the country to be owned by the charity.
History
Lola Taplin is fondly remembered in the Fleece and local folklore has it that she still watches over the pub and its people in the incarnation of an owl that sits on the ridge of the thatched barn.
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Tragically the Fleece itself nearly passed into history at midday on 27th February 2004, when a spark from a chimney set fire to its thatch and aged timbers. Precious antiques were rescued by the locals while fire fighters tackled the blaze to save the inn from total destruction.
A massive renovation programme followed, the first since the 17th century. The Fleece was carefully restored to retain its integrity and traditional features; the atmosphere and architecture have also remained unchanged. The Pewter collection that has been on open display for over 300 years has been restored and the witch circles repainted, in accordance with local tradition, to prevent witches from entering down the chimneys.
Community
At the heart of the village, at the heart of the community.
We're pleased to support local groups including Bretforton Silver Band, the local school, sports teams, Bretforton Amataeau Dramatics.
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The Fleece Inn is more than a pub – it’s a community lifeline.
Landlord Nigel is a Parish Councillor, Morris dancer, church treasurer, bell ringer and more.
We host everything from the Silver Band fundraiser concerts and village fete to sports team socials, church services, school events, cancer survivor meets and even panto rehearsals.
We’re open and available for all – and while our footprint is small (just 55 covers), our impact is mighty.
Whether it’s Nigel Night making global headlines, our asparagus on the Eurostar, or our orchard cider reaching international fans, we’re proud to champion the best of the British countryside on a global stage.
