The New Inn, Gloucester facts for kids
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The New Inn is a famous old building in Gloucester, England. It is located at 16 Northgate Street. This building is made with a special wooden frame and works as a pub, hotel, and restaurant today. It is the best example of a medieval (Middle Ages) inn with galleries that still exists in Britain. Because it is so old and important, it is a Grade I listed building. A very important announcement was made from the Inn's gallery in 1553. This was when Lady Jane Grey was declared the new Queen of England.
History of the New Inn
The New Inn was built in 1450 by a monk named John Twyning. A monk is a man who lives a religious life. He built it as a place for travelers to stay. It was close to the Benedictine Abbey of St Peter. This Abbey was a large religious building where monks lived. The Inn was built where an older inn used to be.
After the Abbey closed down, the Inn was taken over by the church leaders of Gloucester Cathedral. They rented it out to different people who ran the inn. Later, in 1858, it was sold. Some stories say the Inn was built for people visiting the tomb of King Edward II. However, these stories were first written down in the 1700s. They might not be true.
In 1553, King Edward VI died. From the first floor gallery of the Inn, Lady Jane Grey was announced as the new Queen. This was a very important moment in English history.
It is also believed that William Shakespeare might have performed at the Inn. His acting group, called The Lord Chamberlain's Men, is known to have visited Gloucester. Inns were often used as places for plays in England. They were like early theaters.
On May 7, 2018, a fire started at the back of the Inn. It spread to some bedrooms on the second floor. The roof and bar area were also affected. Firefighters from all over Gloucestershire came to help. Police and ambulances also arrived. Luckily, no one was hurt in the fire.
Architecture of the Building
The New Inn is a large, three-story building. Its frame is made of strong oak wood. The walls are made of lath and plaster. This is a mix of thin strips of wood and plaster. Open galleries stick out over the courtyard. These galleries are how people entered their rooms on the upper floors.
The front of the Inn on Northgate Street has seven sections. Some of these sections are now separate shops. This part of the building was changed in 1924.
You enter the Inn through a large archway from Northgate Street. The New Inn is the most complete example of a medieval courtyard inn with galleries in Britain.
Close to the Inn's entrance, there is a small street called New Inn Lane. This lane runs next to Eastgate Street. People say it was once called Pilgrims Lane.
The New Inn Today
Today, the New Inn is a busy place. It works as a restaurant, a pub, and a hotel with 36 bedrooms. There is also a coffee shop inside. The Inn has two rooms that can be used for events or parties.
Some people believe the Inn is haunted. One unexplained event was even caught on camera in 2010.
