The AA independently inspects hundreds of venues nationwide and the Restaurant of the Year award recognises sites that provide cuisine of a high standard as well as demonstrating innovation and ambience, and providing a high standard of hospitality.
The Freemasons chef-patron Steven Smith said: “I’m not going to go with the cliché that we are really pleased to have won because, of course, we are.
“It’s so much more than that. As a pub, we are here for the long term and this award not only creates a legacy for the Freemasons, it is a building block from which we plan to move onward and upwards.
“When I started out more than a decade ago, I wanted to stake out a place for myself in this industry and become known for the quality of my dishes and menus.
“This is a very proud moment for me, Aga and the team, [it has] really put the Freemasons on the map for foodies across the country, as well as our loyal customers and regular visitors.”
Amazing achievement
An AA hotel inspector the Freemasons had “exciting virtuoso cooking in a relaxed village inn”.
The awards also has a pub category and the Pub of the Year England winner was the Bell at Ramsbury in Wiltshire.
The pub’s manager Matt Sexton said: “To receive the AA Award for the Best Pub in England is an amazing achievement.
“This is a trying time for the catering industry and I am incredibly proud of how my team has shone through it all.
“I am also really thankful to all of our guests that have supported us, and our owners that have backed our ideas to make our estate greater. Watch this space, there is lots more to come.”
An AA inspector said the Bell had a lot to offer including comfy rooms, a welcoming bar and a café.
Absolute delight
Pub of the Year Scotland was taken home by the Bow Bar in Edinburgh and manager Mike Smith said: “Managing an independent bar allows for a lot more creativity, so we put a lot more energy into making a simple formula a success.
“To be recognised for these efforts is a real honour, and we thank you for giving us ‘Best Pub in Scotland’.”
An AA inspector hailed the bar as an “absolute delight for any whisky or beer connoisseur”.
Bryn Tyrch in Conwy won Pub of the Year Wales and managing director Rachel Roberts said she was proud and honoured to win the award.
She added: “This reflects a real team effort from all the team and we thank them for all their hard work and for our clients for believing and supporting us.”
An AA inspector said the pub was a charming old inn with mountain views.
Full list of winners:
Hotel of the Year England – The Gainsborough Bath Spa, Bath
Hotel of the Year London – The Goring, west London
Hotel of the Year Northern Ireland – The Old Inn, Bangor
Hotel of the Year Scotland – Douneside House, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire
Hotel of the Year Wales – Twr Y Felin Hotel, St Davids, Pembrokeshire
Restaurant of the Year England – The Freemasons at Wiswell, Clitheroe, Lancashire
Restaurant of the Year London – Elystan Street, west London
Restaurant of the Year Scotland – The Dining Room, Edinburgh
Restaurant of the Year Wales - Beach House Restaurant at Oxwich Beach, Swansea
Pub of the Year England – The Bell at Ramsbury, Wiltshire
Pub of the Year Scotland – The Bow Bar, Edinburgh
Pub of the Year Wales – Bryn Tyrch, Conwy, Llandudno
Chef of the Year – John Williams
Housekeeper of the Year – Tzveta Ivanova, the Milestone Hotel, Kensington, west London
Eco Hotel of the Year – The Oakley Court, Windsor, Berkshire
Wine Award – Ynyshir, Powys, Wales
AA Customers’ Choice – The Savoy, central London