The Parkers Arms in Clitheroe crowned best in UK
4 minute read
This year’s Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs list is in and the North West has only gone and won it.
Whilst the list as a whole was dominated by the south with 22 entries, the north was represented by a respectable 16 entries. Last year’s winner and host The Unruly Pig, near Ipswich, has been beaten to the number one spot by Clitheroe’s Parkers Arms.
The female-owned gastropub, helmed by Kathy Smith and Stosie Madi, has risen to top the list from second place in 2022. This year’s northern contingent (including gastropubs in the northeast) is also an improvement on last year’s 13.
Newton-in-Bowland back on the map
Reacting to the win on Facebook, the Parkers Arms posted: ‘No I in the UK Top 50 Gastropubs So proud to fly the flag once again for Lancs. Newton in Bowland most definitely on the map as it deserves to be.’
Elsewhere on the list, this year’s notable movers and shakers included The White Swan at Fence, which rose from 26 to 7 on the list, and The Pack Horse in Hayfield which climbed from 32 to 18. The Shibden Mill in Halifax was also a notable riser, jumping from 31 in 2022 to 14. The Angel at Hetton meanwhile dropped from 4 to 6.
All of the evening’s individual awards went to institutions in the south, including: One to Watch - The Victoria Oxshott, in Surrey; Newcomer of the Year - The Oarsman in Marlow; Front of House Team - Brook House in Fulham; Chef of the Year went to Tom De Keyser, Head Chef of The Hand & Flowers in Marlow.
Top 50 Gastropubs, Publisher, Chris Lowe said:
“We are thrilled to see such a strong list of contenders this year, including five new entrants! The Top 50 Gastropubs provides a space for food and drink lovers the opportunity to explore the best that the UK has to offer. We are delighted to host this year’s event at The Unruly Pig, showcasing the vast amount of talent across the UK”
The full list
1. Parkers Arms, Newton-In-Bowland (2, 2022)
2. The Unruly Pig, Woodbridge
3. Freemasons at Wiswell, Wiswell (5, 2022)
4. The Sportsman, Seasalter
5. The Kentish Hare, Tunbridge Wells
6. The Angel at Hetton, Hetton (4, 2022)
7. The White Swan at Fence, Fence (26, 2022)
8. The Hand & Flowers, Marlow
9. The Fordwich Arms, Kent
10. The Red Lion and Sun, London
11. The Mariners, Rock
12. The Cornish Arms, Tavistock
13. The Harwood Arms, London
14. Shibden Mill Inn, Halifax (31, 2022)
15. The Coach, Marlow
16. The Beehive, Great Waltham
17. The Cadeleigh Arms, Tiverton
18. The Pack Horse, Hayfield (32, 2022)
19. Pyne Arms, Barnstaple
20. The Black Swan, Ravenstondale
21. The Moorcock Inn, Sowerby Bridge
22. The Guinea Grill, London
23. The Baring, London
24. The Masons Arms, Knowstone
25. Canton Arms, London
26. The Rat Inn, Anick, Hexham
27. The Pipe and Glass, Beverley
28. The Longs Arms, South Wraxall
29. The Dog at Wingham, Canterbury
30. The Felin Fach Griffin, Brecon
31. The Hardwick, Abergavenny
32. The Loch and The Tyne, Old Windsor
33. The Bull & Last, London
34. The White Horse, Brancaster
35. The Black Bull, Sedbergh
36. The Swan, Bampton
37. The Bell Inn, Langford
38. Scran and scallie, Edinburgh
39. The Dog & Gun Inn, Skelton
40. The Duck Inn, Stanhoe
41. The Duncombe Arms, Ashbourne
42. The Black Bear Inn, Usk - Wales
43. Heft, High Newton
44. The Broad Chare, Newcastle
45. Woods, Dulverton
46. The Gunton Arms, Norwich
47. The French House, London
48. The Eagle, Farringdon, London
49. The Butchers Arms, Hepworth
50. Royal Oak, Whatcote
