The Talbot
Welcome to the historic market square of Stow-on-the Wold. At nearly 800ft above sea level, Stow is the highest Cotswold town. It is located at a point where the Roman Fosse Way and several other ancient routes cross and it has evolved as an important trading centre and meeting place with a history deeply steeped in the wool trade. It has a long history dating back to an Iron Age fortified settlement on top of the hill and had a special importance in the first English Civil War as the last battle was fought here back in 1646.
The Talbot has existed as an inn since 1714, and in the early 1960s was the largest hotel in Stow-on-the-Wold.
It is believed that The Talbot was originally a coaching inn, although today it does not have a distinctive archway entrance. This may have been reduced when a new frontage was added in the 1840’s or the coaches may have entered at the back of the property via Talbot Court from Sheep Street. From Talbot Court, if you look out across Sheep Street to the antiques shop opposite, you can still just make out the original sign saying ‘Day’s Talbot Hotel Stables’ under the antiques shop’s modern sign.
Between 1771 and 1864, the brass letterbox at the front of the Talbot was used to post ‘corn returns’. These weekly returns, which were published in the London Gazette, were from merchants who bought grain at the market. Today these returns are still required but are provided by the farmer rather than the merchant.
Spooky Spectre in Stow
It is said that, late at night, sad wailing cries can sometimes be heard in The King’s Arms. The cries are from the ghosts of soldiers who met their end in the bloody Civil War battle that took place only a few paces away.
Another regular ghostly visitor is a woman in Victorian dress. She is said to wear a high-necked, white lace blouse, featuring leg-of-mutton sleeves and caught at the throat with a cameo brooch. Her skirt is made of black silk and her grey hair is tied in a cottage bun. She carries a dainty, lace-embroidered handkerchief, is prosperous looking and wears expensive jet jewellery.
This Victorian spectre has a habit of opening doors and turning lights on and off. She takes no notice of anyone around her, although does seem to like watching television with other guests. It is only when the lady disappears that terrified guests realise that they have been enjoying their favourite programme with a spectre from another dimension.