A COUNTRY pub is set to re-open this winter after undergoing a £2.5million refurbishment.

The Wellington Arms, in Stratfield Turgis, has been acquired by Red Mist Leisure, and will be the independently run group’s biggest refurbishment yet, with the venue being transformed to create 25 boutique bedrooms and a function room.

Located on the Wellington Estate, which covers 7,000 acres of parkland, woodland and farming land, owned by The Duke of Wellington and his family, the pub aims to be family-friendly, offering a combination of traditional English pub combined with a relaxed, modern design.

The refurbishment will include a much larger restaurant area with a completely new design, incorporating the historic elements and traditional character of the building, such as the 18th century ice house, with modern furnishings.

The bar area will be furnished to represent a traditional English hunting lodge, with cosy fires to warm up next to in the winter months.

While the function room will be light and spacious, and adapted for any occasion, from a floral summer wedding to a corporate event.

The re-opening of the 18th century building between Basingstoke and Hook, is set to create more than 40 new jobs for the local area.

Work on the pub and function room will be completed for the opening by the end of November, when visitors can enjoy a menu offering fresh, seasonal and local British food, and a wide array of local ales and craft beers.

Red Mist Leisure is dedicated to sourcing from local suppliers; from prime cuts of meat from British farmers, to bread from the nearby bakery and craft ales from local breweries, including its own microbrewery in Surrey.

It believes in using sustainable ingredients that have travelled as little distance as possible to reach the pub kitchen.

The 25 boutique bedrooms are set to open towards the end of January.

The Wellington Arms will be the ninth pub in Red Mist Leisure’s growing portfolio, which includes establishments in Surrey and Hampshire, including The Stag on The River in Eashing, The Queens Head in East Clandon, The Red Lion in Odiham and The Exchequer in Crookham Village.

Now in its 15th year, the award-winning company is owned by entrepreneurs Mark Robson and Mark Williams.

Mr Robson, managing director of Red Mist Leisure, said: “The Wellington is a real milestone for Red Mist Leisure as we head into our 15th year. We are very much looking forward to embracing a collaborative approach with the Wellington Estate which has plenty of space reserved for shooting, fly fishing and coarse fishing, as well as Wellington Riding; one of the UK’s biggest and best known equestrian centres, Wellington Country Park and the Wellington Farm Shop to ensure that The Wellington Arms is everything we all want it to be.”

Bookings are now being taken for Christmas at The Wellington Arms, for more information email bookings@wellingtonarmshampshire.co.uk.