The Exmouth Arms, 167 Bath Road

The Exmouth Arms was named after a British naval hero, Vice-Admiral Edward Pellew, who became Viscount Exmouth in 1816. In the autumn of that year he visited Cheltenham to convalesce after a celebrated sea battle in the Mediterranean.

This Regency building dates from before July 1819, when it was the venue for an auction of barley and oats growing in a nearby 20 acre field. The surrounding area would have had a semi-rural appearance until the New Bath Road opened in 1823, though the urban development of Cheltenham was rapidly advancing. The Exmouth Arms would therefore, for a brief time, have represented the gateway into the town from the south and is probably the oldest surviving building in the Upper Bath Road. Do not be confused by its late Victorian appearance – it was re-fronted in 1898 by the landlord, James Kitching.

In 1821 a swimming pool (known as Parker's Swimming and Bathing Place) was created at the west end of the Exmouth Arms garden, probably fed by the Westal Brook, which now flows under the site. It was created by a local builder, Arthur Parker, who also collaborated in the development of The Park estate. The pool seems to have survived for about 10 years.

From at least the mid 19th century there was a bowling green in the garden and the Exmouth bowling club competed with teams from many of the neighbouring pubs. The green was ‘Dug for Victory’ in the Second World War and it is now used as allotments.

Proceed along the Bath Road and stand outside the Sue Ryder shop. Look first across the road, to your right.