Chickpea Group opens fifth pub with rooms

Chickpea Group has opened its doors to its fifth pub, The Queen’s Head, in Wiltshire, and has revealed plans to refurbish the bedrooms at the property this spring.

The Queen’s Head renovation was part of a three-phase project throughout 2023.

The bar and restaurant at the 19th Century pub have been completely refurbished, and the interiors redecorated with new colours, artworks and soft furnishings on the floors.

The existing four bedrooms, which are housed in an annexe building to the rear of the pub, will be refurbished and restyled to be more in keeping with the group’s style.

The team will work with local makers to furnish the bedrooms and plans are also in place to develop an extra five rooms above the pub, in collaboration with local building firm Trymata, with work set to start in June 2023.

In the kitchen, a new menu has been devised by head chef Dean Freckleton and the pub will serve a wine list curated in partnership with nearby wine supplier Gardner and Beedle, as well as the launch of their own beers under the business’s new brewery in Wiltshire, Rude Giant Brew Co.

Ethan Davids, co-founder, said: “The Queen’s Head sits in the heart of the Chalke Valley and has all the quirks and charm one expects from a country boozer. We were keen to bring the pub back to its roots, so we’ve bashed it about a bit, removing all recently added walls, to create an atmospheric flow and bring to life the cosy corners we all love kicking back in.”