Occupies the superb II* listed 16th century house once owned by Robert Raikes, a promoter of Sunday schools. Outside and inside it's maze of wooden pillars and beams. At the back, the enclosed courtyard garden is a beautiful setting to enjoy drinks and meals.
As with all Samuel Smiths pubs, there is a no electronics, no swearing policy. All beers are own-brand keg dispense. On visit two beers were priced £2.90, the remainder were at an average price.
Correct as of 17/05/25.
Historic Interest
Grade II listed UID 1271757.
Built as a merchant's house in 1560 and used by ROBERT RAIKES to publish his Gloucester Journal in 1722. His son, also Robert, started printing it there in 1758 and later moved in with his family in 1772. He was a promoter of the Sunday School movement. The building went though many uses over time until bought by Samual Smith's Brewery in 2006 and meticulously restored. It reopened as a pub in 2008.
Restoration
Robert Raikes's House occupies a magnificent Grade II*-listed timber-framed merchant's-house dating from 1560. It is named after the founder of the Sunday School movement, one of Gloucester’s most famous sons. He took over ownership of the Gloucester Journal from his father and in 1758 he moved it into this building, where he and his family later lived also. It became a merchant’s house and shop before becoming a restaurant and then a pub in 1975. It was reopened in 2008 after a two-year refurbishment by Sam Smiths. Their restoration is exceptional and inside is a maze of wooden pillars and beams largely faithful to the house's old plan and structure. The pub serves real ale and meals.
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