Nigel's Story
BII Licensee of the Year 2026 - Quarter Finalist
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Came here for a year...
Nigel Smith has been the landlord of The Fleece Inn in Bretforton since 2002, and over the years he has become as much a part of the pub as its ancient timbers and roaring fires.
With more than forty years in hospitality, Nigel arrived at The Fleece intending to stay for just a year or two. Instead, he found himself becoming the custodian of one of England’s most historic pubs - a place where tradition, community and hospitality have come together for centuries.
For Nigel, The Fleece has always been more than a business, it’s a family story.
His children grew up around the pub, working here as they got older, and hospitality has remained part of their lives ever since. One of Nigel’s proudest moments was hosting his daughter’s wedding reception at The Fleece, surrounded by the same pace & people where she had worked and grown up.
Now the next generation is discovering the orchard, the garden and the magic of the pub that has shaped the family’s life for more than two decades.
A Pub Known Across the World
The Fleece may sit quietly in the village of Bretforton, but its reputation travels far beyond Worcestershire.
Under Nigel’s stewardship the pub has been featured in national press, television and international media, and has welcomed visitors from across the world. Productions such as Father Brown have filmed here, while stories from the pub regularly appear in travel features and hospitality publications.
Events like Nigel Night, a gathering of hundreds of people called Nigel from across the globe, have also captured headlines and raised thousands of pounds for charity.
Despite the attention, the pub remains exactly what it has always been: a welcoming place to gather, share stories and enjoy a pint.
The Book, The Film...
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.
Keeping Traditions Alive
The Fleece is famous for celebrating the traditions that make English pub culture so special.
Each year the orchard comes alive with events including our Apple & Ale Festival, the traditional Wassail, the legendary Asparagus celebrations linked to the Vale of Evesham harvest, live folk music and more. The pub is also home to several Morris dancing sides.
For Nigel, these traditions aren’t just entertainment, they are part of the living heritage of the pub and the village.
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At the Heart of the Village
Nigel has always believed that a great pub should sit at the centre of its community.Alongside running The Fleece, he has served the village in many ways over the years, as a Parish Councillor, fundraiser, supporter of the village school, the Silver Band, local charities and countless community groups. The result is something special: a pub that locals describe as “the village living room.”
Living History
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Dating back to the 15th century, The Fleece Inn is owned by the National Trust and is listed by CAMRA for its historic interior.
But while its beams and settles may be centuries old, Nigel has always believed the pub must continue to evolve - balancing tradition with new ideas, from weddings and live music to cider made from the orchard.
Cheers!
If you visit The Fleece, come and say hi! And if you're a fellow Nigel, make sure you sign the Book of Nigel behind the bar.
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For Nigel, the English pub is more than a place to eat and drink.
It’s community, memory, laughter and belonging, and The Fleece Inn is proof that those traditions are still very much alive.
