The Kings Head, a historic thatched roof pub situated in Bishop’s Cleeve near Cheltenham, has recently undergone a significant restoration. For the first time in 35 years, its iconic thatched roof was rethatched - a task carried out by the very same two craftsmen who originally worked on it in 1991.
As one of only six thatched pubs in Gloucestershire and among roughly 500 across the UK, The Kings Head, dating back to the 15th century, boasts a rich heritage. Landlady Rachel Baird has been at its helm since February 2007, welcoming patrons to the family-friendly establishment.
The rethatching project was led by Bill Taylor and Simon Holloway, who were in their 30s during their initial work on the roof. Simon, now 67, had retired from thatching eight years ago and hoped to spend his retirement traveling. However, a chance encounter with Andrew, Rachel’s father, led to Simon being invited back to rethatch the roof years later. Reflecting on this decision, Simon remarked, “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.”
Bill, now 60, shared his enjoyment of revisiting the project and catching up on memories. He also noted the excellent summer weather, saying, “We haven’t had a single day off since April 1 due to bad weather. It hasn’t rained once.”
The duo has been back at the pub for two months, working seven days a week to restore the roof to its former glory. Bill noted that the building’s structure had remained largely unchanged, making their return a smooth process, joking, “It’s just got a nicer landlady this time.”
Together, Bill and Simon boast an impressive combined experience of 95 years in thatching. Simon added, “We’ve worked together since 1989, so we know each other’s work inside-out. I don’t have to look across and think about what he’s doing.”
Simon has only one more project left before fully retiring - a thatching job at a cottage in Chipping Campden. He appreciated the hospitality during the project and recommended a visit to the pub, calling it “really good.”
Landlady Rachel expressed her admiration for the craftsmen’s work, describing it as “a work of art” and highlighting the interest it has generated among passersby. “It’s the heart of the community, at the end of the day, so it needed to look right,” she said.
Thrilled by Simon’s return from retirement, Rachel recounted how the project came together. After meeting Bill, who needed assistance, Simon became involved following his encounter with Rachel’s father. “They’ve been absolutely fantastic, they’re both now part of the family. They’re really nice chaps, very polite, we’ve had a lot of giggles, and they work extremely hard. It looks amazing,” she added.
Looking ahead to her 20-year anniversary managing The Kings Head next February, Rachel reflected on the pub’s evolution. “Lots of things have changed, but I think we’ve moved with the times. I’d like to think that we’ve kept our finger on the pulse a little bit and kept it interesting.”
Despite the village’s growth, she noted the loyalty of long-standing customers. “I personally love the community feel of it all, all the customers and staff. I wouldn’t still be here if they weren’t so lovely. It’s a really nice family atmosphere,” Rachel said.
Addressing broader concerns about the hospitality sector, she remained optimistic. “There’s so much negativity around hospitality, all you hear about is pubs shutting. But I wouldn’t have invested if I wasn’t 150% sure that it was going to be worth doing. You’re not getting rid of me anytime soon, I’m not going anywhere.”
The Kings Head welcomes visitors daily from 9am until 11pm, continuing to be a cherished gathering spot for the local community.