VISITORS to one of Corsham’s historic hotels are enjoying a stunning new garden renovation that has cost the owners more than £100,000.

The award-winning Methuen Arms, run by Butcombe Pubs & Inns, has totally remodelled part of its outside space to create a new Mediterranean-inspired courtyard garden.

The hotel’s general manager, Sam Priest, 31, who joined the five-star hotel in March last year, said: “We’re delighted with the new-look garden.

“We can now cater for many more customers alfresco, especially with the new horsebox bar in situ which is already proving to be a very popular addition.”

What used to be a lawn and decked area has been completely transformed into a Mediterranean-inspired courtyard built from locally quarried Cotswold stone with lime paving.

The look is completed by painted wrought iron furniture, comfy soft furnishings and marble and wooden-topped tables, interspersed with urns, pots and trellis screens covered in climbers, to create a variety of elegant drinking and dining areas.

The Methuen Arms is located on a site dating back to the 14th century but most of the former coaching inn was built in the Georgian period.

The hotel boasts 19 bedrooms and has won Best Boutique Stay awards from the Muddy Stilettos urban guide to the countryside organisation for the past two years.