This former coaching inn is said to be the oldest hostelry in Pembroke. The frontage was built in the Georgian era, a period of prosperity for the town. Pembroke was then still the most important port on the Milford Haven waterway, before its maritime importance was eclipsed by Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock.
For a time in the 19th century The Kings was known as The Bunch of Grapes. This name change is believed to have come about as a result of the Rebecca Riots, which affected many parts of rural west Wales between 1839 and 1843. These were a series of protests against the payment of tolls to use the roads. The tax was perceived as being unfair and there was a great deal of bad feeling towards the Crown.
By the 1850s the name reverted back to The Old Kings Arms and the popularity of the coaching inn continued to grow especially when the local Farmers Club began to hold its meetings at The Kings. Many other groups and societies followed suit.
In 1953 came another new lease of life for The Kings. The old ‘coaching arch’ became part of the front lounge and under the new ownership of George Wheeler (second from the left in the attached photograph), a new restaurant and bar were created which very quickly became renowned for tasty regional food and beer. His wife, Shirley, became involved in 1965 and has continued to build on George's good work.
Please take the time to look at our 'Welsh kitchen style' restaurant. The restaurant is the oldest part of the hotel that dates back officially to 1522. That's over 500 years as an eating place!
The hotel was a popular venue for events. In 1891 Captain Saunders-Davies of Pentre treated his soldiers, the Pembrokeshire Yeomanry Cavalry’s A Troop, to dinner here. In August 1902 a dinner was held here in honour of Gunner Dudley Griffiths, newly returned from the South African (Boer) War. He had been wounded in the British defeat at Hart’s River in March 1902.
Beyond the dining room, the upstairs Georgian Lounge is a lovely room for private functions. This is reached via the Chinese Chippendale staircase inside the hotel. It’s in the style of 18th-century furniture maker Thomas Chippendale but with embellishments reflecting the fashion for Chinese visual arts; it really is a striking feature.
The Wheeler family have spent more than half a century perfecting their warm Welsh welcome and it’s this, combined with exceptional service and exquisite food, which means The Old Kings Arms Hotel has all the ingredients for a perfect stay.
