About The Kings

The Kings Arms is a charming 500-year-old former coaching inn; a Cotswold-stone building situated on the corner of Stow-on-the-Wolds historic Market Square and is an ideal starting point for exploring the various attractions that this beautiful area has to offer.

The Kings Arms has many original features including high beams, open fires and cosy well-appointed rooms upstairs and in the mews behind the pub. The pub is a good example of a typical coaching inn where the main entrance was through the arch leading to the stables. Charles I stayed here at the time of the Battle of Naseby in 1645.

The pubs history and unique features has seen it been chosen as the location for the BBC’s TV adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s ‘Mayor of Casterbridge’

Ancient and historic Stow on-the Wold is the highest town in the Cotswold’s standing 800 feet above sea level.

Stow has attracted people settling in the Cotswold’s since the Iron Age. Early Cotswold settlers were drawn initially to the adjoining village of Maugersbury, but overtime the commercial success of Stow has seen the town establish itself as the pre-eminent town in the Cotswold’s.

Stow is located at the junction of six roads making it an important and natural meeting place of the Cotswold’s. One of the renowned Cotswold routes meeting in Stow is the famous Roman road – The Fosse Way.

The centre of Stow has a remarkably large and impressive market square. Markets have regularly taken place in Stow since 1107 when King Henry II granted a charter.

Stow has always catered for visitors and travelers. At one time it was said that just about every building on the square was either an Inn or sold refreshment.

The tradition continues today as tourists and locals alike are attracted to The Kings Arms with its friendly welcoming atmosphere, good food, charming historical features, fine wines, real ales and accommodation in Stow-on-the-Wold.