A new look for The Kingham Plough

The Kingham Plough has revamped its current bedroom stock, annexe, restaurant and kitchen to create a polished, unique environment for guests to enjoy.

The venue originally opened in 2007 by husband and wife team Emily Watkins and Miles Lampson who wanted to create a dining pub in the Cotswolds that they themselves would like to visit; complete with excellent modern British food and comfortable rooms set within a warm and relaxed environment.

As part of the refurbishment scheme, which completed in March this year, the venue’s bedrooms have been extensively redeveloped. The pub, located near Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire, previously comprised of four main building bedrooms and three annexe rooms. However the annexe has now been reconfigured to create two spacious luxury en-suite bedrooms entitled Cow Parsley and Chinese Room.

The venue now boasts six individually styled en-suite bedrooms suitable for a range of guests including families, couples and those with dogs. The Cow Parsley room features classic décor complete with a super king bed and a pair of deep and comfortable armchairs. The en-suite bathroom has a large bath as well as a walk-in shower all with top of the range bathroom fittings. A 32” Flat Screen Smart’ Television with DVD, Freeview and iPlayer has also been fitted.

The Chinese Room shares the same quality fittings but has been designed in a very different, open style. The room features a hard wood parquet floor, a Chinese bedframe and quality bedside tables. A stunning free standing roll top bath acts as a main feature of the bedroom, as does the double vanity basin set in granite.

Both of the rooms use Vanessa Arbuthnotts hand printed fabrics, which have been made locally in the Cotswolds.

As well as the two newly developed annexe rooms the four bedrooms in the main building have also been refurbished with new soft furnishings, art work and lighting. Each room features feather duvets and pillows, Egyptian cotton linen, free upgraded Wi-Fi, newly fitted USB ports, a large flat screen TV with Freeview and a DVD player, towelling robes and Neals Yard Remedies toiletries.

Both annexe rooms are dog friendly and a bed, bowl and bone is included.

Speaking about the refurbishment Emily Watkins, Chef Proprietor at The Kingham Plough, said:

“Having been open for eight years we really understand what our customers want from a wonderful stay in a hotel room that will make them want to come back time and time again. We have put so much thought into every aspect of the refurbishment – I honestly can’t wait to see the finished product. First and foremost was the look of the rooms, quality was paramount, and wherever possible we have used local carpenters, fabric designers etc. to work on the project with us. We have taken a great deal of care to provide all the modern services expected in this day and age, but in a discreet way so that it does not overshadow a very beautiful country hotel room. There will be hidden surprises in every drawer.”

The venue’s restaurant has also undergone a full kitchen refurbishment in order to make a more eco-friendly, larger space.

Since 2007 the workforce has steadily increased from three chefs to an eight strong brigade that have outgrown the capabilities of the kitchen. The redesign has provided the kitchen team with twice the current space for cooking, extra shelving, storage and more preparation areas.

The existing walk-in cold store was also removed and a secondary cook space was created for pastry and larder sections. The kitchen refurbishment has incorporated the need for lower energy usage – to be more cost effective and help the environment – by including induction hobs, water conserving dishwashers and energy saving refrigeration.

Target Catering designed the kitchen and oversaw the project providing the induction suites, specialist stainless steel fabrication for the kitchen along with the bespoke ventilation system. The EcoPro range from Foster Refrigeration, water and energy saving dishwashers from Winterhalter, and state of the art Lincat electrical equipment have all been installed in the new space.

Foster Refrigeration has replaced the old walk-in cold store by building a bespoke outdoor cold room.

Emily Watkins commented:

“The whole team is really excited about the project; it has given everyone a boost! We believe it is going to help us push ourselves to the next level with the food…more precise, more consistent and therefore more delicious.”