The Feathered Nest, in Nether Westcote, picked up the Gold Award at last week’s VisitEngland Awards for Excellence Ceremony in Manchester.
Gold is the highest award that VisitEngland can bestow, and licensee Tony Timmer – who runs the pub, restaurant and inn with wife Amanda – said the accolade was all down to the hard work of his staff.
He said: “I am delighted that we have had this prestigious award bestowed upon us. We are not only trying to be a local, but also a place to meet, and a place for people to actually enjoy and experience.
“To achieve this level of excellence, I have to thank the hard work and dedication of the staff.”
Despite the pub’s inauspicious location, five miles south of Stow-on-the-Wold, Timmer explained that the pub gets an impressive mix of clientele. “We get a healthy mixture of Londoners, overseas tourists and locals. There are lots of tourist attractions in the area, but if you didn’t know about us there would be no reason to drive through the village.”
The British Beer & Pub Association sponsored the award, and chief executive Brigid Simmonds said pubs remain a vital part of our hospitality industry and our way of life. “I’m really delighted to see Visit England recognising pubs’ crucial role so clearly. Our warmest congratulations go to the Feathered Nest.”
The Timmer’s have also been awarded three AA Rosettes since they opened the Feathered Nest in 2009.
The Drunken Duck in Ambleside, Cumbria came second with the Yew Tree at Bunbury claiming bronze in the awards.