The Kitchens were large, designed after the big kitchen at Christ Church, Oxford, but the food had to be brought up many passages".Fretherne Court was sold off in 26 parcels or lots in an auction by Bruton Knowles at the Bell Hotel, Gloucester, on Saturday, 6 September 1919, when Sir Lionel Edward Darell, 5th Baronet (1845–1919) died, by his son Sir Lionel Edward Hamilton Marmaduke Darell, 6th Baronet (1876–1954), who called himself 'Ratcatcher Baronet' in his privately published biography.

[2] From his biography Lionel describes why he had to sell Fretherne Court: "... And so we return to my poor father who died in February 1919 beloved by all, and I succeeded him.

It was very sad, but Fretherne Court had no modern requirements, no central heating, and they said we used to burn a ton of coal a day there - fancy the price now, and of course you could not have got it - no electricity, although my uncle had advocated this so many years before, the kitchens about a quarter of a mile, or so to speak, from the dining rooms water supply very indifferent, only one or two bathrooms, and the drainage system - well, I finish with this ..."The mansion was described in the auction literature as of hansome elevation, facing south and east and commanding fine views over the Severn, approached by a carriage Drive, through well-timbered grounds with picturesque lodge entrance, delightful pleasure grounds of terrace formation.

A fine walled kitchen garden with glass houses excellent stabling for 16 horses, garage for 5 cars.

Replacing the House Inn, which previously stood on the same sight, the pub was constructed in mock Tudor style with two ornate gabled ends.