King William Ale House

King William Ale House
King William Ale House
Location within Bristol
General information
Town or city	Bristol
Country	England
Coordinates	51°27′06″N 2°35′42″W / 51.4517°N 2.5949°W / 51.4517; -2.5949Coordinates: 51°27′06″N 2°35′42″W / 51.4517°N 2.5949°W / 51.4517; -2.5949
Completed	1670

The King William Ale House is a historic public house situated on King Street in Bristol, England. It dates from 1670 and was originally part of a row of three houses. The three have been designated by English Heritage as a grade II* listed building since 8 January 1959.^[1] It includes a mixture of 17th-century and 18th-century features, but currently serves as a public house owned and operated by Samuel Smiths Old Brewery.

History[]

The King William Ale House stands as part of a group of three houses, which were built in approximately 1670; originally built as a refuge for poor women, the buildings were later converted into public houses.^{[2][page needed]} The three buildings were designated as a Grade II* listed building on 8 January 1959, and currently include two public houses, the King William Ale House as well as The Famous Royal Navy Volunteer, with a restaurant between them.^[3]

The building is timber-framed, with brick stacks; the front of the building is gabled with three jettied floors. It has a single-story wing to the back block on Little King Street, which also dates to the 17th century. The sash windows of the building are in an 18th-century style, but restored in the late 20th century. The King Street entrance includes an 18th-century shop front, with a 17th-century door frame.^[3]

Present usage[]

The King William Ale House is owned and operated by Samuel Smith Brewery. It has two entrances, one on King Street, the other on Little King Street. Inside there is a stone fireplace and a number of seating booths. The pub also has sufficient space for pool tables. The draught ales are kept in kegs rather than casks.^[4]

References[]