Daneway Inn, Sapperton

Built in 1874 to house the navvies who constructed the now derelict but being restored Thames & Severn canal. In 1807 the western end cottage became the Bricklayers Arms named in honour of the men who lined the locks and the nearby 2 ¼ mile Sapperton Tunnel. The other two cottages became the lodgings for the ‘leggers’ who took the narrow boats through the tunnel, as there is no tow-path. The pub was renamed in 1955 after a successful horse owned by the wealthy bookmaker from Stroud who owned the pub from 1955. The cottage that is the present small public bar is on the left. It has a c1955 counter with a red Formica top and bar back shelving that looks like it dates from the c.1955. This bare boarded room has a large old stone fireplace, a piano and the pub game of quoits. There is a traditional gents' to the far left. In the middle of the pub is a small room that has a tiny counter/hatch at least 50 years old with no dispensers. This was the original lounge and beer was original served from casks behind the bar here. This room has a classic 1950s tiled fireplace with a fine bevelled mirrored mantelpiece, a settle and window seat. In 1955 the pub was brought from Simonds Brewery. It was then that the magnificent carved wooden fire surround was introduced to replace a range fireplace in to what became the present lounge on the right. It came from a large manor house in or near Stroud that had been destroyed. The lounge has a bar back with red Formica covered shelves that means it could also date from 1955; the bar counter is difficult to date and may be 30/40 years old.