Royal Hill Inn, Edgerley (Royal Hill)

The Royal Hill Inn has two rare features – a snug formed by two high-backed settles and a tiny snug which includes the servery. Set on a quiet road beside the River Severn, this pub has fine views. It was built in 1777, has a 19th century brick re-fronting, and has been in the same family ownership for many years. There is a passage from the front door and the oldest rooms in use are the front right small tap room created by two high-backed settles originally with a gap between them on the passage side; and at the end of the passage on the right a tiny snug which includes the servery. Two former private rooms were brought into use in post-war times - the small front left lounge and the room to the right of the tap room. To access the latter a short passage was cut through the rear left of the inglenook fireplace. In recent years the rear settle has been moved forward slightly so both are joined together creating an impressive L-shaped one. This created a passage to access the added rooms on the right which has a hatch originally for service to the tap room. Originally the Victorian bar counter in the tiny snug was slightly smaller and there was a gap on the right-hand side and a flap. In recent times the gap has been removed by adding a close matching section of about a third so it runs all the way across the room and a new top added. The servery behind it has been expanded so no old bar back fittings remain. Red tiled floor in passage, tap room, snug and the room to the right of it. The impressive L-shaped settle, with much of it almost reaching the ceiling, is held in place by three iron stays. Large inglenook-style fireplace with a mantelshelf almost reaching the ceiling, a reclaimed brick interior and modern log burner. Lounge on the left has an interwar wood surround but has lost its original tiled interior. Some old dado panelling painted dark brown. Numerous rooms have been added since with minimal impact. Two other small rooms at the rear created out of the former stable building - one opens up to the games room at the far rear left. Recently a large extension on the far right includes a dining room.