Bird In Hand, Broadwell

The Bird in Hand was once a tied house of George’s Bristol Brewery, who were acquired by Courage in 1961. Their Bristol brewed ales continued to be supplied to the Beer in Hand for the next thirty years or so. In the 1990’s the Bird in Hand became a free house. In January 2008 there were rumours that the Bird in Hand was about to close. Despite insisting that the pub was safe, the Bird in Hand suddenly closed in July 2009. In September 2010 an application was submitted to Forest of Dean District Council for change of use of the former public house into a ‘place of worship’. Following the closure of the Bird in Hand and the Rising Sun the Broadwell & District Social Club is now the only licensed premises in the village. The interior layout of the old Bird in Hand, despite it being delicensed, remains unaltered by the Salvation Army who use it as a club room and for band practice.

For the record, the 1996 edition of Real Ale in Gloucestershire described the Bird in Hand as a ‘busy forest pub, popular with local community. Good range of food available at most times. Takeaway food also available.’ John Smith’s Bitter was served on hand pump.