Speech House

[1] The building was originally constructed as a hunting lodge for Charles II and the Speech House was authorised by the Dean Forest Act 1667 (19 & 20 Cha.

2. c. 8) as part of a reorganisation of the open land in the area, and its construction was finished in 1682.

[4] Around 1840 it began to be used as an inn, and by the late 19th century it was functioning as a hotel, which (as of 2021[update]) it continues to do.

The Speech House Hotel was famous for its Speech House pudding, traditionally served in the verderers' court room that became the hotel's dining room.

[7] In Good Things in England, White wrote that a "Miss Beaumont, of Sidmouth, Devon, says: 'This was given to a brother of mine at a little inn in the Forest of Dean.