The Leicester Arms in Kent reopens after £1.2m refurb

The Leicester Arms in Penshurst, Kent, has reopened following a £1.2m refurbishment by owners Brakspear in partnership with the Little and Large Pub Company.

The redevelopment, overseen by Brakspear’s in-house design team, has retained the character of the Grade II listed building, while creating a “relaxed environment” for informal drinking and dining. 

At the same time, the pub’s 11 en-suite bedrooms have been upgraded to offer boutique hotel-style accommodation.

Menus at The Leicester Arms have a focus on seasonal and local ingredients. Steaks from the Robata grill served with a variety of sauces and sides are the highlight of the à la carte menu, which also features fish, chicken and a selection of interesting starters and desserts. 

The Sunday menu focuses on roasts, and there are also value-conscious menus including a set lunch every day at £25 for two courses and a steak night every Wednesday at £30 for three courses.

Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies said: “We were happy to invest in The Leicester Arms and create a pub where Little and Large can work their magic! They’ve proven themselves to be fantastic operators at The Running Horses, so we look forward to seeing their second Brakspear pub become a similar success.

“We have many stunning pubs in beautiful locations across the south east, but they are only ever as good as the business partners who run them. Working with talented operators is key to our success, and we’re delighted to have extended our relationship with Little and Large.”