A Cotswold inn which has undergone an extensive £300,000 investment has been named New Pub of the Year 2019 in the Good Pub Guide.

The award has gone to The Masons Arms in Meysey Hampton, near Cirencester, which is an Arkell's Brewery pub with a new licensee Paul Fallows.

The award follows an extensive refurbishment programme starting in 2015, creating a brand new purpose-built kitchen and a freshly renovated dining room adjoining a central bar characterised with traditional beamed ceilings and Cotswold stone.

Upstairs, eight renovated bedrooms feature a mix of stone and beams in addition to additional rooms with a more contemporary feel; all of which enjoy views of neighbouring farms and manor houses.

Since the renovation, the pub has become a central hub for the area by providing a new dimension to the village pub; offering a place for friends to meet for coffee mornings, for business meetings and as an alternative work space; in addition to the post school-run drop offs. As well as locals, the pub continues to tempt customers from far and wide with is fresh take on dining, drinking and sleeping.

Landlord Paul Fallows grew up in the village. He said: "Myself and the team have worked hard to bring a new lease of life back into this village pub, combining the traditions of a Cotswolds village-local alongside a fresh contemporary feel for dining, drinking and sleeping. To win such a prestigious award is just brilliant and I speak on behalf of all my team when I say we're unbelievably excited with this news."

Managing director of Arkell's Brewery, George Arkell said: "We're thrilled that the Masons Arms has been named the Best New Pub by the Good Pub Guide. Paul and his team have done a fantastic job in making the pub a key part of the community and we're proud to support him as it continues to flourish. This award really does show that investing time and energy into revitalising a country pub can bring great success."