The pub, run by Dan Brod and Charlie Luxton on a free-of-tie private lease, describes itself as a “traditional yet stylish country pub” and beat 37 other county winners to claim the top prize.
Brod said the award was a great boost for the pub and its staff, and welcome acknowledgement that it was “heading in the right direction”. He added that the award was made even sweeter as the pub had undergone a complete refurbishment 12 months ago after a fire had put them out of action for a year.
“We effectively re-opened as a new operation,” he told the Publican’s Morning Advertiser.
“It gave us time to rethink and research our menu and try something new. We aim to offer high quality service and food at normal pub prices. I think that’s why we’re doing well.”
Brod added that he was looking to expand and had another site in the pipeline.
Guide editors Alisdair Aird and Fiona Stapely said: “Bouncing right back from a devastating fire in 2010, and now better than ever. Our readers love every aspect of this elegant coaching inn on the edge of rolling parkland. Serves unfailingly excellent and imaginative food, using first-class ingredients, and a fine range of drinks.”
A further 37 pubs collected County Dining Pub of the Year accolades, including two Eatdrinksleep sites owned by Charles and Edmund Inkin — the Old Coastguard in Cornwall, and the Felin Fach Griffin near Hay-on-Wye, Wales.