Welcome to Robert Raikes’s House, one of Gloucester’s most iconic historic buildings and home to a classic Samuel Smith public house. Situated on Southgate Street, directly opposite St Mary de Crypt Church, our pub offers much more than a quiet pint—it provides a journey through centuries of English heritage.
A 16th-Century Merchant’s House
The story of 36–38 Southgate Street begins in 1560, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Constructed as a grand merchant’s townhouse, the building was designed to showcase the wealth and status of its owner.
Built using traditional West Country timber-framing methods, wattle and daub panels, and jettied upper floors, the structure stands as a remarkable surviving example of Elizabethan architecture. Over the centuries, the building evolved; brick additions were made to the rear in the 18th century, along with ornate oak staircases, panelled rooms, and stone fireplaces that still character satisfy the pub today.
The Legacy of Robert Raikes
In the 18th century, this historic house became closely intertwined with one of Gloucester’s most influential historical figures: Robert Raikes the Younger (1736–1811).
Raikes was a prominent local publisher who ran the Gloucester Journal newspaper—a publication originally founded in the building by his father, Robert Raikes the Elder, in 1722. After taking over the press in 1758 and moving his family into the house by 1772, the younger Raikes used his print office and home as a hub of civic reform.
Appalled by the harsh conditions in local prisons and the lack of opportunity for working-class children—who worked long six-day shifts in local factories—Raikes championed a revolutionary idea: free education on Sundays.
Along with Reverend Thomas Stock, Raikes launched the Sunday School Movement. He hosted early sessions right here in the house and garden, where his wife would reportedly serve plum cake to local youths as they learned basic reading, writing, and moral principles. Raikes used his newspaper to spread the vision nationwide. The movement exploded in popularity and is widely credited as a major forerunner to the English state education system.
From Neglect to Historic Pub
Following Raikes’s death in 1811, the property served various roles over the next two centuries, working as commercial shops and offices while retaining its Grade II* listed status.
By the late 20th century, the building had fallen into public use as a local watering hole—known over time as The Dirty Duck and The Golden Cross. However, years of alterations and deferred maintenance left the architectural jewel in need of significant restoration.
The Samuel Smith Restoration
Recognising the extraordinary cultural and historical value of the site, Samuel Smith Old Brewery took ownership of the building with a commitment to restore it to its former glory.
In 2006, an ambitious £4.5 million, two-year restoration project was undertaken. Craftspeople stripped back inappropriate modern modifications, replaced modern shopfronts with period-accurate timber-framed walls, carefully conserved the 16th-century timber frames, and restored the original 18th-century internal woodwork and fireplaces.
In November 2008, the doors officially reopened as Robert Raikes’s House—a lovingly restored public house celebrating the building’s rich past.
Experience the Pub Today
Today, Robert Raikes’s House offers a traditional pub experience within authentic historic surroundings:
- Seven Distinct Rooms: Explore a maze of seven cozy, characterful rooms across different levels, from timber-framed ground-floor bars to opulent upper rooms decorated with 18th-century wood panelling and historic prints.
- Courtyard Beer Garden: Enjoy a quiet drink outside in our spacious rear courtyard—the very area where Sunday school gatherings once took place.
- Authentic Heritage: As a traditional Samuel Smith house, we offer an environment free from digital distractions, slot machines, or loud background music—allowing the heritage of the building and genuine conversation to take center stage.
- Food & Drink: Enjoy our range of Samuel Smith beers, ciders, wines, and spirits alongside classic, honest pub food served daily.
Whether you are a history enthusiast exploring historic Gloucester or simply looking for a quiet spot to relax, step inside and enjoy a drink where history was made.