A 15th century village pub has finally reopened its doors after being transformed into a boutique hotel, restaurant and bar.

The White Horse in Boughton-under-Blean, near Faversham, is back up and running following the completion of an eight-month revamp.

The Grade II-listed site - which was a coaching inn hundreds of years ago - has been turned into what owners describe as a "premium" cocktail bar and restaurant, offering 13 guest beds and a treatment room.

Husband-and-wife licensees Andrew and Natalie Hennessy, who already run gastropub The East Kent in Whitstable, say the development was a labour of love.

“When I first visited the pub as it was before, I could see it in my mind just as it is now," Natalie said.

"But being eight months pregnant at the time, I couldn’t get on with it as quickly as I wanted to.”

The White Horse, which is a Shepherd Neame business, was mentioned in Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, before being the scene of inquests held following the Battle of Bossenden Wood in 1838.

The Hennessys have added to the historic building a so-called "honesty pantry" upstairs for overnight guests to enjoy snacks and drinks at any time.

Led by head chef Natalie, the brand-new kitchen will serve meals inspired by her classic French training, along with light meals and Kentish cream teas.

She also has strong familial ties to the area, as her great-grandfather ran two pubs in the village and her aunt previously worked at The White Horse.

“When I was a teenager I said to my mum and dad 'I will have a pub',” Natalie added.

“I achieved that with The East Kent, but I always wanted something with rooms; I wanted to provide the best possible guest experience.

“There was also such a connection to this place - this was always meant to be.

"Reopening The White Horse as it is now is actually achieving a long-time goal.”

Punters will also have the chance to book massages or facials in the premises' Nest treatment room when it opens later this summer.