The Kings Head, located opposite the village green, is now the only pub in Kings Stanley.
Stroud News & Journal, 1st April 2008 – Pub dating back to 1726 for sale: The Kings Head, in High Street, King’s Stanley, near Stonehouse is for sale through agents Christie & Co. The Kings Head is a detached Grade II Listed building dating back originally to 1726.
The property is spread over three storeys with a ground-floor bar area, function room and skittle alley, while on the first floor is a 25-cover restaurant and adjoining fully fitted commercial kitchen. The pub also has a refitted lounge area with leather sofas and its own bar. There are four letting rooms and the owner’s accommodation over the first and second floor. Externally the property is complemented by a car park for about 12 cars and outside seating areas to the front and side.
Stroud News & Journal: 4th May 2011 – Pub coffee shop opens: Regulars at the Kings Head Inn in King’s Stanley can now enjoy more than their favourite pint of ale thanks to a newly opened coffee shop in the pub. Based downstairs in the inn’s plush lounge area, Kings Coffee House will serve a full range of freshly brewed coffees alongside teas, cakes, chocolates and other light snacks. Customers relaxing in the shop’s fine leather chairs can also order from the lunch menu of the pub’s newly opened upstairs restaurant – including light bites, sandwiches and baguettes.
Landlord Jamie Moray said he was keen to set up the in-pub venture alongside business partner James Southgate to fill a gap in the village. “There is nowhere for people to get a decent cup of coffee in either King’s Stanley or Leonard Stanley so we thought there was a real call for it,” he said. “The place has a smart, executive feel and we are hoping it will be a great place to meet, chat and enjoy a good coffee at very affordable prices.”
Stroud News: 2nd May, 2012 – Pub Review – ‘Good, honest pub fare at an unbeatable price’. By Victoria Temple: (edit) There’s nothing flash about the Kings Head at Kings Stanley. It’s an old-school local offering a warm welcome with some good-value meals to keep its customers well fed. It seemed to cater to a mainly local crowd when we rocked up on a Tuesday evening. We ate in the bar where the decor is dated but there’s plenty of space. There is also a smarter restaurant area. The menu is simple fare, jacket potatoes, sandwiches and basket meals as well as traditional favourites.
Stroud News & Journal, 23rd October 2013 – Pub to be run as ‘heart of the community’: After nine months of hard work, the Kings Head in King’s Stanley has been restored to its former glory. The skittle alley has been refurbished and is now well used by five regular teams and an upstairs restaurant with full table service has been launched. There will also be a bed and breakfast and the lounge bar is due for completion soon.
It is run by Enterprise Inns, and manager Jackie Nesbit took over in January with the aim of running a pub which is at the heart of the community. Area manager Christian Farmer said: “We wanted to put the pub back to being the centre of the community to bring people together. We have had a lot of support from the village. It has been hard work because the pub has not been run at its full potential for years and it has been closed for long periods of time in the past. We want people to know that it is back open and is doing well. People seem proud of the pub now.”
“It is being well used by groups and organisations and we are getting bookings for parties. Traditional pub food is served and there are weekly fish and chips, curry and pizza nights.
Stroud News, 29th November 2017: Business Today – Pub is reopened by businessman. By Nikki Owen: A businessman has reopened a popular public house in King’s Stanley. The King’s Head pub in the High Street in King’s Stanley had been closed for a year until Michael Byrne, a hotelier from County Kerry, Ireland, took on the public house and made it ready for use again.
He took on the Kings Head after running a hotel in Wiltshire. With the new-look Kings Head now in its 10th week of opening, busy times are ahead. Michael said: “We have a new coffee shop open now – it’s called Nera, after my wife – and our restaurant is open. It’s getting very busy, so I really do encourage everyone to book.”
The pub restaurant now has a new menu that includes a steak night, plus fish and chip night, and there are quiz nights planned, plus once-a-month curry nights.
Stroud News & Journal (Facebook), 22nd September 2022.
The landlord of a popular village pub has said an emotional goodbye to staff and regulars.
The landlord of The King’s Head in King’s Stanley, Daryl Billing, announced on social media last night that his ‘adventure had finally come to an end.’
“When I came to The King’s Head I honestly wanted to make sure the village had a pub it could rely on and in the short few months, that’s exactly what I tried to achieve,” read the post.
“Being part of a village community can be so rewarding.
“I have made some amazing friends along the way and have had a very diverse and supportive team that have made me proud to work with each and every one of them.
“The road has now sadly come to an end but the memories I have made will never be forgotten.
“Even though it’s goodbye from me as a landlord, for many of you who are my friends it’s just a change of scene and a different place to come and visit.
“I wish the new operators all the best with their ventures and I’m sure the village will support them as they did with me.
“From me and from all of The King’s Head team who have been with me over the last few months, we wish you all much love and happiness and thank you for helping create some amazing memories.”
Map Reference: SO 813035
Licensing Details:
Rateable Value in 1891: £15.0s.0d.
Owner in 1891: Holmes & Co.
Type of licence in 1891: Alehouse
Rateable Value in 1903: £21.0s.0d.
Owner in 1903: Nailsworth Brewery
Type of licence in 1903: Alehouse
Closing time in 1903: 10pm
Landlords at the Kings Head include:
1830 John Leach
1856 T.H. Smith
1891,1903 Frederick Merchant
1919 George Thomas
1927 Frederick G. Morgan
1927-1952 Percy Long (previously at the White Lion Inn, Rodborough)
1997 John and Carole Hewlett
2002 David and Judith Williams
2006,2009 Marina and Martin Campbell
2011 Jamie Moray
2013 Jackie Nesbit (manager)
2016 Headley Rowcliffe
