A ‘proper English country pub’ in Whiteparish has had a change of hands - and the landlords are offering a ‘warm welcome’.

On Monday, May 13, new owners Nicky and Patrick Chambers opened the doors to The Kings Head in Whiteparish. 

So far, they’ve hosted two welcome evenings at the Grade II-listed pub, offering fizz and nibbles with more than 150 people attending on one evening, and 70 on the other.

Nicky, 55, said: “It’s been really good; locals have been really welcoming”.

Nicky and Patrick currently live near Lambourne but are moving to the area to settle in closer to the pub.

Daily Echo: Nicky and Patrick Chambers

The Kings Head is the couple’s first pub they’ve taken on, but they’ve brought a background of events planning and hospitality experience - combined with an enthusiasm to run a pub of their own in a close knit community.

Patrick, 63, said: “Previously, the pub has been managed by remote owners – it’s had some super staff but I think locals quite like to have a chat with people who own the pub – we’ve had people say they want to meet the people.

“In towns and cities people are used to bars and chains but in a little village, it's not what they expect.”

The Kings Head offers eight rooms, a 1.5-acre garden, and pub menu, which can be enjoyed in their sun trapped orangery or dog-friendly dining room.

Daily Echo: The pub offers a 1.2 acre garden

The menu includes a number of pub classics alongside weekly specials, and in the bar they plan to introduce a different beer every few weeks to vary their offering.

Patrick said: “We are a traditional country pub offering the best of English food with weekly specials, and each week or so we will have a new guest beer.”

Nicky added: “We’ve got no desperation to be a Michelin Star, we just want to be a really good country pub offering quality food.

“We want to be a community hub – a safe space for anybody – on their own or as a group.”

Of their eight rooms, they offer suites, dog friendly rooms, and rooms featuring a Juliet balcony overlooking the garden. The price of a night’s stay starts at £130 – including breakfast.

Daily Echo: The hotel offers eight rooms

Visitors who spend £130 in the bar and restaurant will be able to enjoy a night’s stay in the hotel free of charge – subject to availability.

The Kings Head Inn also boast a “delicious” Sunday lunch, “curry Tuesdays” and new for June, pie, chips and quiz nights on the first Thursday of each month.