Kings Head, Blakeney (Sabo Yes)

In the 1996 edition of 'Real Ale in Gloucestershire' the Kings Head was described as a 'Two bar pub with nice lounge and smart restaurant. Good value bar snacks and separate restaurant menu. Guest beers.' The Kings Head is an 18th century building situated in the centre of Blakeney. An early photograph of the Kings Head shows a stream running directly in front of the building. A small walled garden between the pub and the stream was planted with ornamental shrubs, etc. Regrettably the stream has now been culverted under the main road and the once picturesque garden has disappeared under tarmac; the inevitability of progress. In the 1960’s the Kings Head was substantially refurbished. The so-called ‘improvements’ instigated by the brewery architects included the removal of the fine 18th century Venetian window on the ground level which spoilt the frontage of the pub – thankfully the Venetian window on the upper storey was retained. The Kings Head closed in May 2008, following a dispute with the owning Pub Co about excessive rents. A management company stepped in to run the pub, only for it to close once more. The Kings Head opened again in May 2016 and was initially well supported by the community. Pub grub was the fare with no pretentiousness for fine dining. Sadly the business failed again. The old Kings Head is then traded as La Dolce Vita, a traditional Italian restaurant. The name means ‘the good life, full of pleasure and indulgence’ and is also the title of a Federico Fellini 1960 film. La Dolce Vita closed in 2017 to be replaced with 'Uncle Tony's' which also closed May 2019. September 2019 saw the premises become 'Once Upon a Time' play cafe & party venue aimed at parents & their under 7 children. The premises reopened in 2024 as Sabo Yes bar and grill at the Kings Head.