IT’S OFTEN assumed that royalty is always surrounded by luxury, with access to the best accommodations money can buy. 

But once the Queen was forced to take refuge in a South Gloucestershire pub, when she became stranded in a snowstorm in December 1981.

Queen Elizabeth II, then 55, stayed at the Cross Hands, Old Sodbury when she was driving back to Windsor after visiting Princess Anne at Gatcombe Park. 

The weather suddenly turned and the Queen, along with six members of staff, became stuck in the snow on the A46 Bath Road. 

Former manager Roberto Cadei recounted the incredible story to the New York Times, saying he and his wife, Heather, usually went out on Sunday afternoons but due to the blizzard they decided to stay in. 

Soon their two-star bed and breakfast became busy with hundreds of guests who were also forced to abandon their cars and find accommodation for the night. 

''I couldn't believe anyone would be out in that weather,'' he told the Times.

''The more we talk about it, the more it seems like a dream.''

With just one room upstairs left, Mr Cadei soon had a man enter the pub and say, ''I wish to inform you that Her Majesty the Queen is outside. Could you accommodate her too?''

Gazette Series: One of the room’s at the Cross Hands hotel (from Booking.com)One of the room’s at the Cross Hands hotel (from Booking.com) (Image: Newsquest)

''I must have been the only woman who ever received the Queen in her old blue jeans and sweatshirt,'' Mrs. Cadei said. 

''We didn't have time to be nervous or fuss. I just made her a cup of tea and prepared the table for her to eat.''

According to Buckingham Palace, it was the first time the Queen had arrived at a hotel unscheduled and unannounced. 

She entered the pub using a rear stairway, which Mr Cadei had to clear of snow because The Queen's security team wanted to keep her visit a secret from the other guests.

In all she spent roughly seven hours at the pub - staying in room 15 - and departed shortly before midnight.

Eventually once word got out of its royal visitor business boomed at the hotel and restaurant.  

Many tourists, travellers and locals alike wanted to stop and see where the Queen stayed - Mr. Cadei said at the time that his business increased by at least 25 per cent. 

Now owned by national pub chain Greene King they say their hotel The Cross Hands is ‘fit for a queen’. 

It says on their website: “This charming old posting house, with 21 bedrooms, dates from the 14th century and has, for many years, played host to ramblers, racers and even royals.

“The Cross Hands is a warm and welcoming hotel, fit for a queen - indeed in 1981, Queen Elizabeth herself sheltered here from a harsh country blizzard.”

The hotel is on the A46 Bath Road and near the A432 just outside of Chipping Sodbury. 

Gazette Series: The Cross Hands hotel (from Booking.com)The Cross Hands hotel (from Booking.com) (Image: Newsquest)