Open all day
The King's Arms is an old, long building, built on slope leading from the modern estate of Pentyrch to the site of the medieval church of the village, rebuilt in the 1850s. The thick white-washed stone walls of the pub defy mobile phone networks and are a sign of the age of this pub, at least three-hundred years old but with later additions over the years. A central doorway leads to the top bar on the left and the snug and restaurant areas to the right. The top bar is split-level and features a bar made out of a light-coloured wood and four handpumps. The stone walls are exposed in places and there are settles sofas and tables with a range of daily newspapers for customers to read. A wood-burning stove stands in the fireplace and there are chalkboard menus on the walls.
The snug is a traditional public bar, quite possibly the oldest part of the pub, or at the least altered in any form, with its huge fireplace and flagstone floor. The fireplace takes up one wall of the building and there is a hatchway to the right hand-side which may have been a stairway to an upper level, a typical feature of old rural buildings which featured a winding staircase to the side of the fire.
The ceiling was raised sometime in the past and a doorway was cut in the fireplace wall, on the left-hand side, today this leads to the restaurant area. Old copper and brass ornaments decorate the walls, the polished copper reflecting what little light there is in this small and rather dark part of the pub. Four gleaming chrome handpumps are on the bar, serving beers from Brains and Otley breweries. The pubis owned by SA Brain but leased to Nick Otley of Otley Brewery and the Bunch of Grapes in Pontypridd fame. This unique collaboration results in beers from both breweries being on the bar with Brains Bitter and IPA alongside Otley Boss and Croeso, although the beer range may vary. Local cider Orchard Gold from Gwynt y Ddraig is also available along with Brains Black.
The restaurant area, to the side of the snug is a modern extension,light and airy with a high ceiling; this area leads out to a patio area and garden with more seating. Food is served 12-2.30 and 6.30-9 and there are lunchtime and evening menus together with daily chalkboard specials, with Welsh ingredients used where possible.
Quiz night Wednesdays and regular events are held throughout the year.
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The King's Arms is accessible via public transport, although the service is not that frequent; the 136 from Cardiff run by Stagecoach
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