The Kings Head, a historic thatched pub located in Bishop’s Cleeve near Cheltenham, has had its iconic roof rethatched for the first time in 35 years - and intriguingly, the work was carried out by the very same two men who undertook the original job in 1991.
One of just six thatched pubs in Gloucestershire and among around 500 throughout the UK, the Kings Head dates back to the 15th century. It has been under the stewardship of landlady Rachel Baird since February 2007.
Central to the pub’s charm is its thatched roof, which had not required rethatching until recently. Remarkably, the original craftsmen, Bill Taylor and Simon Holloway, returned to refresh their handiwork. Simon, aged 67, who retired from thatching eight years ago with plans to travel, was persuaded to come back for this project.
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Reflecting on his decision, Simon said with humour, “It seemed like a good idea at the time! I’ve really enjoyed myself, so I’m glad I did it. You just wonder where the years have gone. You never think you’ve got old, but 35 years is a long time.”
Simon explained that a chance encounter with Rachel’s father, Andrew, led to the request: “He mentioned that his daughter was looking for a thatcher for the Kings Head, and somehow I got dragged into coming.”
Bill, now 60, added, “It’s been good fun reminiscing and telling stories. We’ve had a lovely summer and haven’t had a single day off since April 1 because of bad weather – it hasn’t rained once.”
The pair, who have been collaborating on thatching projects since 1989, spent the last two months working seven days a week to restore the roof to its former splendour.
Looking back to their previous work, Bill commented, “The building hasn’t really changed structurally, so it was easy to come back. It’s just got a nicer landlady this time,” he joked.
Together, Bill and Simon have amassed 95 years of thatching experience. Simon noted, “We’ve worked together so long that we know each other’s work inside out. I don’t have to look across and second guess what he’s doing.”
Simon now has one final thatching job at a cottage in Chipping Campden before retiring for good. He praised the pub’s team, saying, “We’ve been really well looked after here. It’s been fun, and I’d recommend coming to visit the pub - it’s really good.”
Landlady Rachel, 47, expressed her admiration for their craftsmanship: “It’s a work of art, what they’ve done. It’s absolutely fascinating. The roof has generated a lot of interest - many people have stopped to watch and have been thoroughly entertained.”
She continued, “We’ve had lots of positive feedback; people have nothing but good things to say. The pub is at the heart of the community, so it needed to look right.”
Rachel was delighted to hear Simon was coming out of retirement especially for the job. “I was absolutely over the moon,” she said. “It’s history, really.”
She recounted how after meeting several thatchers to get quotes, she chose Bill but he needed assistance. Simon’s unexpected involvement came through his meeting with her father, and having the craftsmen she wanted meant a great deal to her.
“They’ve been fantastic and are now part of the family. They’re very polite, we’ve shared lots of laughs, and they work extremely hard. The roof looks amazing.”
Looking ahead to her 20-year anniversary as landlady next February, Rachel reflected on the changes: “Lots has changed, but we’ve moved with the times and kept things interesting. The village has grown, which is good, but we still have many loyal customers from 20 years ago.”
She praised the community spirit: “I personally love the community feel - customers and staff alike. I wouldn’t still be here if they weren’t so lovely. It’s a really nice family atmosphere.”
Addressing the challenges facing hospitality, Rachel stated, “There’s so much negativity around pubs closing. But I wouldn’t have invested here if I wasn’t 150% sure it would be worth it. You’re not getting rid of me anytime soon - I’m not leaving.”
The Kings Head remains open daily from 9am to 11pm, continuing to serve as a beloved local hub.