A historic pub which closed for renovations has reopened after a £1.8 million revamp.

Original features, including a Grade II-listed bar, have been restored at The Duke of Cumberland in Whitstable, which is owned by Shepherd Neame.

Work took 14 weeks to complete and the high street venue reopened on Thursday.

As well as refurbishments to the bar and dining room, the pub’s courtyard garden has also been transformed into a new decking area with an outside kitchen.

A new external function room, named The Boatyard, has also been built in the courtyard, which has its own bar and is available to book for private events.

The venue's eight boutique hotel rooms were also updated as part of the renovations bringing them back into use for the first time in years.

Each room is named after a historic oyster fishing vessel known as a ‘yawl’ or ‘smack’, built in the town.

They come with a pocket-sprung mattress, drench showers and Nespresso coffee machines in every room, along with a flat-screen Smart TV and high-speed wifi.

The building, which dates back to 1867, also has a seafood restaurant which uses produce caught locally.

New general manager, Tina Kennedy, has joined the venue having previously run the The Royal at Tankerton for the past six years.

She said: “It is a real honour to be asked to take on the Duke of Cumberland following this major transformation.

“It is fantastic to see Shepherd Neame making such a major investment in the town, and I’m excited about welcoming locals and visitors to see just what we have to offer here.”

The pub was previously renowned for its live music events, and Ms Kennedy, who visited the pub as a teenager, plans to retain that tradition with regular jazz, swing and acoustic evenings.

Managing director, pubs, Jonathon Swaine, said: “We are incredibly proud to reopen The Duke of Cumberland after this extensive refurbishment project.

“The renovation has been completed to a very high standard, and we hope that both locals and visitors to the town will enjoy seeing the amazing work which has been carried out to ensure such a much-loved pub continues to be a lively local for many years to come.

“It has also been a number of years since the pub’s rooms have been available for guests to stay in, and it has been a labour of love for Shepherd Neame to bring them back into use.

“We look forward to welcoming guests to enjoy a relaxing stay with us.”