Bear Hotel, Rodborough

Prominent 3-star hilltop hotel, built 300 year ago as a coaching inn and located near 300 acres of National Trust land.

As you approach, the building appears large and imposing like a guardian to the commons and for those staying there is a choice of 45 rooms. It has 3 function rooms and has parking for one hundred or so cars in 4 separate areas the roads of which form a skewed cross to the rear of the premises.

On foot from the frontage facing the road, look for the empty casks that mark the door into the bar. Approaching from the car park you can take a path in to the rear and then navigate the maze of rooms, courtyards and corridors to get to the bar. You can also approach through the garden and across one of the three patio areas into the bar.

Aside from the period structure and sheer scale of the place the actual USP must be the walled garden which once was reserved for Croquet and outdoor skittles. Now it has a massive patio centrally placed with well-appointed furniture headed by an outdoor bar at one end (opening is seasonal and weather dependent). Flanking this there are spacious areas on three sides with grassy tree shaded areas a smaller patio, a covered patio and to entertain, table tennis and table football games.

The Bear changed hands in 2019 with Fullers buying all of the former Cotswold Inns 7 premises. To date Fullers rebranding is not really evident, the website and building signage still being branded Cotswold Inns. In an interesting business arrangement Fullers brewing operation was sold to Asahi recently so the company are now focussed on operating their pub estate.

The Bar has all the period features expected, wood beams, Cotswold stone walls (whitewashed in some areas) and a real fire to give that cosiness in the winter months, all in all a nice relaxing place to be.

Opening and food times correct as of 22/08/2022