Britain's first 21st century thatched pub in Kent reopens after £60k refurbishment

A watering hole in a Kent village - claimed by its brewery company to be Britain's first 21st century thatched pub - has had a £60,000 refurbishment and a new management team. As part of the revamp, The Manor Farm Barn, in the village of Southfleet and three miles from Gravesend , has new lighting, décor and furnishings.

The ground floor layout has been redesigned to create a more spacious feel. The five-day refurbishment saw the pub in Southfleet close on November 3 and 4, but it stayed open during the rest of the works.

The pub was originally an 18th century threshing barn, and was extensively restored in 2001, earning a CAMRA Pub Design Award and the "first 21st thatched pub" accolade. Old faming artefacts including ploughs, presses and two 19th century threshing boards, the latte