The Royal Cottage, Upper Hulme

The Royal Cottage, located in Upper Hulme, Staffordshire, was a small and much-loved rural pub that served the local community, walkers and climbers. Although little is known about its earliest history, the building is thought to have begun life as a roadside cottage before becoming a licensed public house. Unlike some of the area's older inns, there are few surviving records to show exactly when it first opened as a pub.

In its later years, the Royal Cottage became well known for its unique character and informal atmosphere. It was one of the smallest pubs in Staffordshire and was run for many years by a single landlord. The pub generally opened only on Friday and Saturday evenings, with customers often joking that if the light above the door was on, they were welcome inside. At other times, the landlord was sometimes happy to open the pub if visitors knocked politely. This unusual approach gave the Royal Cottage a friendly, almost private feel that made it popular with regulars.

Rather than offering a wide range of drinks, the pub specialised in bottled beers, spirits and soft drinks, reflecting its modest size and traditional style. Despite its limited opening hours, it developed a loyal following and became something of a local landmark for travellers along the A53.

The Royal Cottage ceased trading after the death of its landlord in 2023. It is now listed as closed long-term, and its future remains uncertain. Although the building still stands, it is no longer operating as a public house. The history of the Royal Cottage is difficult to trace because many small rural pubs left few published records. Much of what is known today comes from local memories, CAMRA records and pub directories.