The Old Corner Cupboard is a truly old Cotswold stone building dating from at least 1550 when it was rebuilt. It is architecturally interesting with four large stone buttresses supporting the walls. In one room there is a massive fireplace and another bar boasts stone walls which were taken from the ruins of Winchcombe Abbey.
The booklet ‘Gloucestershire Inns’, published in 1924, gives the following information: At Winchcombe Ye Olde Corner Cupboard, where a head of Disraeli looks out over the entrance, and where a spring of water rises from the cellar floor, and where vaulted underground passages and much old quaint furniture enables the visitor to imagine himself to live in any almost any age, but the present.’
Gloucestershire Echo, Friday 26th January 1934 – Mr A.W. Richardson, of Ye Olde Corner Cupboard, Winchcombe, was granted an extension until 12 pm for the Winchcombe Bowling Club’s annual dinner, to be held on January 31st.
Gloucestershire Echo, Thursday 7th February 1935 – Winchcombe Bowlers. Presentation to Former Club Captain: There was a pleasing function at a special meeting of the Winchcombe Bowling Club last evening at their headquarters, Ye Olde Corner Cupbboard, Winchcombe, when a presentation was made to Mr Harry James, who has recently left the town and who in the past has proved one of the club’s most active supporters. Mr F.W. Allard (captain of the club) was elected chairman.
The present was an umbrella, the silver band bearing the inscription ‘H. James, from Winchcombe Bowling Club’, and the Chairman in asking Mr James to accept the umbrella, told the recipient that he had their esteem and affection. For 13 years he had been their captain, and had proved a most useful member almost from the club’s inception. They were losing him and would miss him very much.
Sunday Mirror, Sunday 26th April 1936 – Inn with its own wishing well: (by Adrian and Marian Bury) Though wine has soothed many a sorrow, the Old Corner Cupboard at Winchcombe has a firm belief in the virtues of water. An unusual opinion to find at an inn. But if you go down to the cellar of the house you will find a reason for this paradox. Below ground level is a shallow well, perenially fed by the spring. In past days people of the district would come here to be cured of their ills, for they said the spring contained healing properties. Gaily the water bubled into the well, bringing its assurance of strength to rheumatic limbs and weak eyesight. Was the promise fulfilled? No record survices to say yes or no; faith no doubt wrought a miracle or two.
The building itself was constructed from the stones of Winchcombe Abbey, which was demolished in 1547. It has windows with stone mullions, and spreads its solid butresses and steps across the pavement in a way that no modern building would dare to do.
The Old Corner Cupboard is an amusing name – though it should perhaps be in plural form! For until recent years there was at least one corner cupboard and often several, in every room of the house.
The Old Corner Cupboard is reputedly haunted. There are tales of mysterious footsteps upstairs and a postcard was once seen flying off the wall across the room.
https://www.cornercupboardwinchcombe.co.uk/
The Corner Cupboard in Winchcombe announced its shock closure on Wednesday August 21, 2024. Writing on the social media platform Facebook, The Corner Cupboard said: “It is with a very heavy heart to be writing this but as of today and for the forthcoming time until new management comes in we have had to close our doors.”
Licensing Details:
Owner in 1891: William Grizzell (free from brewery tie)
Rateable value in 1891: £12.0s.0d.
Type of licence in 1891: Beerhouse
Owner in 1903: Cheltenham Original Brewery
Rateable value in 1903: £12.0s.0d.
Type of licence in 1903: Beerhouse
Closing time in 1903: 11pm
Landlords at Ye Olde Corner Cupboard include:
1891,1903 Willie Richardson
1934 A.W. Richardson
1992 (March) Roddie and Jo MacHugh
1994 Sue and Mike Nash
1997 Ian Thomas and Tony Goring
1998 David Ayre
1999 Alistair and Mari MacPherson
