Dining at the Speech House
The Gloucestershire based Speech House Hotel offers all level of dining experience from a light meal in our bar or Orangery to full Restaurant service.
The Orangery and bar provides a perfect place to relax, unwind and enjoy some tradition pub food after a day's business, travelling or sightseeing. Our bar is open to both residents and non residents. It offers a perfect environment for informal meals, light snacks, all under the personal guidance of our head chef.
If you are looking for a more formal dining environment, the beamed Verderer's Court restaurant reflects the room's continuing use as a courthouse for the Forest of Dean Verders, whilst the more intimate Carolean Restaurant maintains links with one of the unique Forest traditions of Gloucestershire.
Most tastes are catered for including a range of vegetarian meals. If you fancy something that is not on the menu then please ask and we will try our hardest to accommodate your request.
The Verderer’s Court
The Verderer's Court
Used on a daily basis as a restaurant, function room or for hosting civil wedding ceremonies, this historic room has been a court for the Verderers since 1696.The Verderers Court of attachment is still scheduled to be held every 40 days at The Speech House.
The Court sits on average 4 times a year when matters concerning the Forest are discussed. The Verderers are still appointed by the crown and are paid a Doe and a Buck a year (although none of the present Verderers have claimed their “salary” since taking office!). In the courtroom an open hearth faces the western wall and at the south end there is a low raised gallery or dais of oak. Nineteen pairs of antlers still adorn the walls as they have for centuries. On the east wall lie the two royal spades used in 1957 by HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip to plant two oak trees over the road from the courtroom. In the Courtroom are the Verderers brass plaque of the Royal Coat of Arms and the card advertising the Courts proceedings. Visitors come from afar to view this room which retains all its original features.
Download the Verderer's Court sample Sunday lunch menu
Download the Mother’s Day Sunday Lunch menu 18th March
Download the Easter Sunday menu 8th April