Major investment brings historic Wye pub back to life

A historic village pub in Wye has reopened following a £1.5 million investment, bringing fresh confidence, jobs and renewed hospitality offer to the Ashford borough.

The King’s Head, in the heart of Wye, has been bought, refurbished and reopened by Contemporary Pubs, the award-winning, family-run Kent pub group behind some of the county’s most celebrated hospitality destinations.

The investment marks a significant boost for the local economy, transforming a landmark Grade II-listed building that had been closed since February 2024 into a welcoming pub and dining destination for residents and visitors.

It also strengthens Ashford’s visitor economy, adding another high-quality food and drink venue to an area already known for its countryside, heritage, walking routes and independent hospitality.

Before officially opening on 24 July, Wye residents and local dignitaries were invited to preview the refurbished venue and meet the team behind its transformation.

Led by Will and Nadine Sheldon, alongside Executive Chef Steve Piddock and Head of Operations Hugh Thompson, Contemporary Pubs has carefully renovated and redesigned the building after purchasing it from Shepherd Neame in June 2024.

As part of the refurbishment, the pub’s layout has been changed with the relocation of the bar. The walls have been taken back to the original brick and hardwood flooring installed and the décor reflects a contemporary Victorian inn. The entrance to the pub is now via the carriageway at the side of the building, and not from the front, freeing up space inside to offer dining for up to 60 people with a further 35 spaces outside.

With the pub in the village’s historic centre, the team worked closely with Ashford Borough Council’s Conservation Officer and planning team, and secured permission to demolish the former kitchen and outside toilets, with the customers’ toilets relocated to the first floor. A new extension is home to a state-of-the-art kitchen which connects the main building to the two-storey barn and provides space for a commercial walk-in fridge and staff changing facilities.

Behind the scenes, the pub has been totally rewired and replumbed, and everything previously gas-powered has been removed to improve its environmental performance. Upstairs the team is re-instating eight bedrooms, each with en-suite facilities, with the work due to be completed in 2027.

Reflecting Contemporary Pubs’ commitment to promoting talent from within, Harry Cox has been appointed Head Chef at The King’s Head. Harry joined the company in 2019 as Sous Chef at The Marquis of Granby before progressing to Head Chef at The Tiger Inn, where he established a reputation for culinary excellence and innovation. Now taking the helm at The King’s Head, Harry is widely regarded as one of Kent’s most accomplished chefs, celebrated for creating many of the exceptional dishes that have become a benchmark within the Contemporary Pubs’ brand.

Harry will be joined by Will Thompson as General Manager, where he is leading the launch and establishment of the venue. Having successfully overseen the opening of The King’s Arms, it’s sister site three years ago, as well as running The Tiger Inn and Marquis of Granby, Will brings proven expertise in launching new hospitality destinations and building high-performing teams.

Although The King’s Head can trace its history back to 1678, it’s not the company’s oldest pub. That accolade goes to Grade-II listed King’s Arms in Elham which dates back to 1450 when King Henry VI was King of England.