Put The Victoria Inn in any other village in the world and it would be right to call it outstanding. At Eastleach, that would be missing the point.
Here is a picture postcard village of breathtaking beauty that even by Cotswolds standards is something special and it is renowned for its display of daffodils in the spring. The fact that The Victoria blends so perfectly into its surroundings is what makes this pub such a treasure.
The bank below has a stunning display of daffodils in the spring. A short walk down to the church is rewarding for a host of daffodils on the river banks. This low-ceiling 18th century pub has been sensitively restored with a smart public bar and a comfortable lounge and dining area on the other side. A superb menu to work your way through provides top quality food from the landlord/chef. The imaginative freshly prepared food by no means dominates this traditional pub, which is the focal point of the village community.
Formerly a private house complete with an attached coach house, it dates back to the early 18th century. But it wasn’t until 1856 that somebody had the idea of turning it into an inn. Arkell’s persuaded Courage to part with it in 1976.
The upper storey windows are original while the sash windows below are from the nineteenth century. The view outside has hardly changed in generations.
Inside, neither the lounge nor the public bar ever disappoint even those expectations which are always raised by the pub’s exterior.
Eastleach, which is four miles from Lechlade, is off the beaten track, but it is easily found. Just follow your instincts.
HOSTS – Tom & Maya Gabbitas
WHERE – Eastleach, Near Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 3NQ
TEL – 01367 850277
Victoria Inn is a listed building, below are details of the listing:
SP 1905-2005
13/196 Victoria Inn
23.1.52
GV II
House with attached coach house, now public house.
Early C18; mid
C19 alterations.
Coursed and random rubble limestone; rubble and rendered chimneys; stone and Welsh slate roofs. Two-storey with attic; single-storey link to coach house at east end; various rear additions.
Front: C18 house to left with 2-window fenestration, original 2-light recessed cavetto mullioned casements
with hoodmoulds to upper floor; C19 six-pane sashes below. Off-centre doorway with timber lintel and C20 glazed door.
Central gabled roof dormer with leaded casement. Two gable end ridge-mounted chimneys. Two 6-pane sashes to linking section to right.
Plank stable and coach doorways with timber lintels.
Interiors not inspected. Recorded as an inn since 1856.
Listing NGR: SP1982305274
