The Drum Inn
Cockington's Picturesque Country Pub
Stunning beer gardens, a cosy atmosphere and lots of dogs
The Drum Inn is a country pub in the beautiful village of Cockington, Torquay. Designed by renowned architect Edwin Lutyens, it’s known today for its cosy fires, great food, and welcoming atmosphere. Most importantly, its one of the best spots around for dog-watching!
It’s featured on Channel 4’s Location, Location, Location, and has attracted celebrities – like local star Patrick the Pony and former England women’s footballer Sue Smith.
The Project
A social media strategy to show off the cosy atmosphere
The pub’s team wanted a social media strategy that captured the warm, community-focused atmosphere they’d built – showcasing roaring fires, friendly service, and plenty of four-legged visitors.
I was brought in to manage the Drum Inn’s full social media strategy – from brand positioning and content creation, to regular posting and performance tracking.
The Strategy
Brand Analysis and Competitor Research
I researched Vintage Inns’ values, tone, and target audience, and analysed local competitors to find content gaps, from dog-friendly storytelling to promoting the beer garden and cosy seasonal themes. I then created a strategy aimed at boosting reach and engagement.
Content Strategy and Creation
Each month, I created a detailed Instagram and Facebook content calendar covering menu updates, behind-the-scenes moments, seasonal events, and plenty of visiting dogs. I produced original photography and short-form videos, including Reels, paired with engaging copy to capture the pub’s atmosphere online.
Posting and Reporting
Once content was approved, I scheduled and managed posting across platforms – optimising for peak engagement times. I monitored performance, identifying what resonated most, and adjusted future content plans to double down on what worked best.
The Results
The social media strategy resulted in The Drum Inn having a strong, brand-aligned and engaging social media presence.
- 179% increase in Facebook reach in the first 90 days.
- 111% increase in Facebook engagement in the first 90 days.
- 40% increase in Instagram followers in 9 months.
- The highest level of Facebook and Instagram engagement out of all Vintage Inns pubs in the South West district.
- Content was posted to the parent company Vintage Inn’s social media channels.
Beyond the numbers, The Drum Inn became known online for its friendly atmosphere, strong local ties – and steady stream of much-loved dogs.
Because of my success in the role, I was offered a regional consultation position within the brand, offering advice and support to social media managers for other pubs across the region. This involved reporting, one-on-one support and developing ideas for brand content.