Inn The Sticks is a growing collection of characterful English country pubs on the edge of the Cotswolds. The group has expanded its portfolio with the acquisition of The King’s Arms at Didmarton. This comes only months after acquiring The Bull at Hinton, which brings the total number of pubs in the group to five.
The Kings Arms joins The Bull at Hinton, The Langley Tap, The Neeld Arms and The Wellesley Arms. This addition further strengthens the group’s presence across picturesque villages within easy reach of Bath, Bristol, and the wider Cotswolds region.
Founded by Mark Florey and Mark Holton, Inn The Sticks is built around a shared love of traditional British pubs, seasonal food, and relaxed hospitality. Lifelong pub enthusiasts — and self-confessed pie devotees, describing pies as “the cornerstone of the Great British pub menu” — the pair personally design and create the interiors of each pub, carefully restoring historic spaces and giving them a warm, lived-in feel that blends classic country pub character with thoughtful modern touches.
“The King’s Arms is a wonderful addition to the Inn The Sticks collection. It’s a much-loved village pub with real history and enormous potential. As we have done with The Bull, we are looking forward to investing in the site, supporting the existing team, and ensuring it remains a true village pub while introducing the seasonal food, welcoming atmosphere and design approach that define Inn The Sticks.”
Across the collection, guests can expect seasonal British cuisine, perfectly stored ales, carefully selected wines, and a warm Great British welcome. Roaring fires in winter, sun-soaked gardens in summer, and menus celebrating the best of each season define the Inn The Sticks experience. From long, lazy lunches and celebratory suppers to spontaneous pints at the bar and traditional Sunday roasts, the pubs are designed as welcoming spaces where locals and visitors alike can gather, relax and enjoy great food and drink.
A Village Pub at Heart — The Kings Arms, Didmarton
Situated in the South Cotswolds village of Didmarton, The King’s Arms is a historic country inn surrounded by rolling countryside and popular walking routes near Badminton and Tetbury.
The group has announced plans for a careful and sympathetic refurbishment of The King’s Arms, enhancing its interiors and rooms while preserving its character as a true village pub. The revitalised offering will introduce evolving seasonal menus focused on quality, locally sourced ingredients, alongside a continued commitment to supporting the existing team. Guests can expect relaxed dining spaces, cosy fireside drinking in the winter months, and welcoming outdoor areas for the warmer seasons, ensuring The King’s Arms remains a vibrant, year-round destination for both locals and visitors alike.
“The Kings Arms perfectly reflects what Inn The Sticks stands for — proper pubs, rooted in their communities, offering great food, great drinks and genuinely warm hospitality. We’re excited to become part of the Didmarton community and build on the pub’s strong local reputation.”
Alongside its welcoming bar and dining spaces, The King’s Arms will offer a collection of comfortable guest rooms designed to provide a relaxed countryside stay. Blending traditional Cotswold character with modern comforts, the accommodation will cater to walkers, weekend visitors and guests exploring the surrounding Bath, Badminton and Tetbury area, offering a peaceful retreat with the warmth and informality of a true village inn.
The Bull at Hinton — A Growing Collection
Dating back to the 17th century, The Bull sits in the charming South Cotswolds village of Hinton, just five minutes from the M4 and a short drive from both Bath and Bristol.
Guests will find a cosy bar, relaxed dining rooms, and roaring open fires during the cooler months, while summer brings a sun-drenched terrace and spacious garden perfect for outdoor dining. Seasonal menus, excellent drinks, and genuinely warm hospitality make The Bull an ideal destination for everything from a quick pint to a leisurely lunch or celebratory supper.
Perfectly placed near Bristol, Bath and the Cotswolds, The Bull continues to welcome walkers, cyclists and visitors exploring the surrounding countryside, including those enjoying the Cotswold Way, which is only a short walk.
