King Arthur Hotel, Reynoldston

A very popular, traditional family-owned hotel, pub and an acclaimed wedding venue, that has been a regular entry in the Good Beer Guide for many years! Situated at the foot of Cefn Bryn hill in beautiful Gower, overlooking the village green. Covered outdoor seating is available by the pub entrance, as well as a large outdoor seating area on the green itself. The cosy, atmospheric main and rear bars are open all day to drinkers and diners, who can also use a separate restaurant. There are three hand pumps on the main front bar, with another two on the rear bar. Home cooked main meals and bar snacks made with local produce are available all day, and breakfasts for non-residents from 9-11am.

History:-

The original Public House was called the Rising Sun because the front of the building catches the early morning sun. The remains of this building can be seen between the car park and the pub. The Rising Sun, known in the 18th century as Dollings Lodge was a single storey cottage style building, possibly thatched. In 1828 William Hugh lived in Dollings Lodge, however by 1838 the house was known as ‘Dollins House or Rising Sun’ with Mr Hugh as the licensed victualler. The King Arthur Hotel is thought to have been built in 1870 by the Tucker family. This family took a 99 year lease of the site from the Stouthall estate, and the license was likely to have been transferred from the old Rising Sun to the King Arthur. Richard Williams became licensee, followed in the late 1880s by John Bevan. The old Rising Sun continued to be occupied as a cottage until the early 1900s. By the 1920s the pub was enlarged to its present appearance. The King Arthur Hotel became associated with several public events, for example, the annual fair in September would be held on the Higher Green, and the Gower Agricultural Society’s fat-stock shows were held in the back field.

Mr Len O’Driscoll took over the King Arthur Hotel with his wife Kim O’Driscoll in 1991. By this time the building was in a dilapidated state and in need of complete refurbishment. The premises had still not been operated as a hotel. With much hard work and determination Len & Kim transformed the King Arthur Hotel into one of the most attractive pubs in Gower, indeed it was named one of the top 10 pubs in Britain by the Country Walking Magazine- the only inn or pub in Wales to be selected. In 1998 the refurbishment was completed with the nautical themed Gower Room and seven en-suite bedrooms. The King Arthur also hosted wedding receptions from the year 2000 in a marquee in the rear garden. In the Summer of 2003, the function room Avalon was completed together with twelve new en-suite bedrooms, Guinevere’s Cottage and landscaped gardens. Avalon has proven to be a very popular venue for wedding receptions, civil ceremonies, parties, conferences and dinner dances. The O’Driscoll family continue to run the business.

(© King Arthur Hotel Website).