The former Crown of Crucis pub at Ampney Crucis is celebrating its first anniversary as the newly renovated and restyled The Crown at Ampney Brook under the Wild Thyme & Honey branding.

Having first opened under its new name as part of the Grosvenor Pubs and Inns group on December 6 2021, the quintessentially Cotswold stylish hotel/gastro pub has gone from strength to strength.

Drew Brown, Managing Director at Grosvenor Pubs and Inns said: “We’re incredibly proud with how our first year of business has gone.

“Being listed number 25 in this year’s Top 50 Boutique Hotels list alongside the likes of The Newt in Somerset, The Fife Arms, Scotland as well as some amazing local competition is a true testament to our brilliant team, who’ve worked exceptionally hard with us to navigate a particularly challenging time in hospitality. We look forward to what achievements lie ahead in 2023 and beyond for Wild Thyme & Honey and The Crown.”

The first anniversary of The Crown at Ampney Brook was celebrated in the hotel’s extended and impressive function room with exposed stone walls, wooden beamed ceiling and rustic furniture. After enjoying a selection of fish, meat and vegetarian feasting platters, invited guests were entertained by Gloucestershire-based The Mark Walby Duo.

The invited guests included people and businesses who have helped with the hotel’s success over the past year as well as several local residents of Ampney Crucis village. Chair of Ampney Crucis Parish Council, Doug Crook and his wife, Debbie, who is Secretary of the village WI were asked to cut the wonderful sponge, cream and fresh strawberry birthday cake.

New General Manager and Unit Business Director, Simon Stanbrook explained: “It is great to be celebrating our first birthday here at The Crown at Ampney Brook with many people from the local area. We have been keen to foster our loyalty to the locals and want residents to feel that this is their ‘local’. We will soon be launching a Loyalty App and gift cards, which will provide access to local offers for early 2023.”

For the Christmas and New Year period, Wild Thyme & Honey will be offering a Christmas stay package available for guests to book via Mr and Mrs Smith (www.mrandmrssmith.com) as well as a festive menu at The Crown at Ampney Brook between December 24-30. Perfect for festive dining with friends, family and colleagues, there are multiple private dining rooms available to book ranging from intimate cosy dining to large banquet-style feasts!

There are 24 bedrooms, 12 of which are suites plus a very decadent VIP apartment. Named No. 3 London Road to reflect the original postal address of the hotel, the luxurious apartment has its own fairy-lit hot tub/jacuzzi; a cosy Hobbit-house sauna and a private deck with gorgeous views over the brook to the village cricket pitch beyond.

To find out more or to book a meal or stay, visit https://www.crownampneybrook.co.uk/ or call 01285 851806.