Historic pub in Monkton Farleigh changes hands to new operator

Christie and Co has revealed that The Kings Arms in Monkton Farleigh has been let to South West-based hospitality group The Beckford Group.

Located around five miles from Bath, The Kings Arms in Monkton Farleigh is a traditional public house, with parts of the stone-built property dating back to the 16th Century.

The pub retains many attractive original features, including a large inglenook fireplace, and has four guest bedrooms as well as a beer garden.

The pub freehold was purchased by Sir Charles Hobhouse, a local resident, who has let the pub to the Beckford Group.

The Beckford Group operates several hospitality businesses across the South West including four boutique pubs: The Beckford Arms in Fonthill Gifford, The Talbot Inn in Mells, The Lord Poulett Arms in Hinton Saint George, and The Bath Arms in Horningsham. It will be overseeing a major refurbishment of the pub and plan to focus on delivering excellent food and accommodation.

Charlie Luxton from The Beckford Group said: “The Beckford Group will be completely refurbishing the King’s Arms, and hope to create nine bedrooms, a private dining room, and up to 70 covers within the wonderful, historic building, in the charming village of Monkton Farleigh. The group will be working with 60 villagers who have offered to loan a significant sum to help carry out the work, to help the pub reopen in Spring 2026.”

Graeme Clifford, business agent at Christie and Co, managed the sale process and added: “We received significant interest in this attractive pub, which reflects the high level of buyer demand we are seeing for assets such as this.

“The deal sees an outstanding and experienced hospitality operator take the reins and it is fantastic to see another venue added to the already renowned Beckford Group, who plan to come together with the local community and revitalise the pub’s offering for local residents.”