Arkell’s inn named Pub of the Year

A popular village inn in the bustling owned by Swindon brewery Arkell’s has been named Pub of the Year 2019 by The Good Pub Guide.

The award for The Masons Arms at Meysey Hampton, on the Wiltshire / Gloucestershire border, follows an extensive refurbishment programme starting in 2015, which saw a £300,000 investment from Arkell’s Brewery and appointment of new licensee, Paul Fallows.

The investment created a brand new purpose-built kitchen and a freshly renovated dining room adjoining a central bar characterised with traditional beamed ceilings and Cotswold stone. Upstairs, eight renovated bedrooms feature a mix of stone and beams in addition to additional rooms with a more contemporary feel; all of which enjoy views of neighbouring farms and manor houses.

Since the renovation, the pub has become a central hub for the area by providing a new dimension to the village pub; offering a place for friends to meet for coffee mornings, for business meetings and as an alternative work space; in addition to the post school-run drop offs. As well as locals, the pub continues to tempt customers from far and wide with is fresh take on dining, drinking and sleeping.

Landlord Paul Fallows grew up in the village. He has worked hard with his team to bring life back to the pub, quickly establishing it as a firm favourite in the area for both locals and visitors looking for a place to call home while they explore the Cotswolds.

Paul Fallows, Landlord of The Masons Arms said: “The team and I have worked hard to bring a new lease of life back into this village pub, combining the traditions of a Cotswolds village-local alongside a fresh contemporary feel for dining, drinking and sleeping. To win such a prestigious award is just brilliant and I speak on behalf of all my team when I say we’re unbelievably excited with this news.”

Brewery managing director George Arkell said: “We’re thrilled that the Masons Arms has been named the Best New Pub by the Good Pub Guide. Paul and his team have done a fantastic job in making the pub a key part of the community and we’re proud to support him as it continues to flourish. This award really does show that investing time and energy into revitalising a country pub can bring great success.

The Masons Arms is a welcoming, dog-friendly pub that serves well-kept Arkell’s ale, wines by the glass and a wide selection of gins. The pub sits proudly on the Village Green in the heart of Meysey Hampton, giving ample space to enjoy drinks or food outside in the summer months and has a large open fire and wood burners for the winters.

The pub’s focus on being a local hub to the village is further enhanced by local photographer’s work which adorns the walls throughout, providing visitors a feel from the local area.