Beers on the Bus: The Kings Arms Newent

Just outside the centre of Newent, with its own request stop on the Daffodil Line, you will find the Kings Arms. A genuine community pub, the KA is dog and family friendly, serves a selection of well-kept ales and a varied menu delivered in generous portions.

A pub since at least 1822, later owned by Godsell & Sons, brewers at the Salmon Springs Brewery of Stroud, from around 1891.

The logistics of getting the beer from Stroud to Newent, which was one of the more far-flung parts of their estate, could not have been straightforward with horse-drawn brewery drays. This journey must have taken two days, first to Gloucester and then the following day to Newent. It is not clear if the railway was involved for any part of the journey.

The pub had periods of closure in the early 2000s, but is now a thriving establishment run by licensees Wayne Child and Chrissie Hoare for the last six years. Describing itself as a ‘Town and Country Pub’, the attractive exterior of the pub features box windows. A few steps from the pavement lead up to the porch and the front entrance door. The main bar opens to the left, which features a roaring wood stove with tables and bench seating. Beams reveal where the room has been opened up to make a more spacious facility. The serving bar is in front of you, and to the right is a large table in the window with a sign requesting that it be used for groups of four or more. To the right, through an arch is another bar with tables and tv screen. Further to the rear past the bar there is a large dining room with doors leading to outside seating. The popular skittle alley is off the corridor to the right. When not in use for matches, the alley is converted to yet more seating – in total the pub can accommodate events for up to 100 people across three rooms.

Well-kept cask beer choices come from the three traditional hand pumps on the bar. St Austell Brewery Tribute is a fixture, and two changing guest beers come from regional and local breweries, often Cardiff’s Brains brewery or Butcombe. There is often a dark beer. The pub has featured in Camra’s Good Beer Guide for the past five editions, and is rated highly on several review sites. In addition to several international lagers, St Austell Korev lager and Butcombe craft ales add variety. Ciders include draught from Thatchers, Westons, Inch’s, and bottles from Lilley’s and others. Wines are available by the glass, and a wide range of no and low alcohol choices include ciders and prosecco.

A varied menu offers choices from lunchtime light bites including grilled panini, alongside classic pub favourite mains including pie of the day and substantial salads served in the evenings as well. Many menu choices have vegetarian or vegan options. Smokehouse Specials include BBQ Ribs and burgers, and the daily specials board often has steaks. Sunday roasts are popular and it’s best to book in advance. Roasts are also served on Wednesday.

A genuine community pub, family and dog-friendly, events include Redtooth Poker League on Monday night, and Board Games on Tuesday nights. The skittle alley is bookable for skittle parties, with a buffet option. Live music events, and quiz nights are held, and charity activities have included raising funds for maintaining an AED defibrillator unit at the Glebe Chapel nearby.

The exterior fenced space at the rear has picnic tables and planters, which feels cosy despite the proximity to a quite busy road, and there is a smaller open seating area to the side. A ramp is available for access to the rear. There is ample off road parking, motorhomes and campervans are welcome to stay by arrangement.

To visit, take a short walk from where the 232 buses stop at the Lake Side car park, along the High Street to the junction crossing and the pub is next to the former Grammar School and the Newent Community Centre on the north side of the B4221 Ross road. There are bus stops outside and opposite the front door.

Open seven days a week from noon, closing at 10pm Monday to Thursday, then 11pm Friday and Saturday, and 6pm Sunday. Food is served Monday to Sunday from noon to 2.30pm, and 5pm to 8pm Mon to Sat.