Bristol has missed out on a spot on the Top 50 UK gastropubs of 2023 after a long list of the nation's best venues was released. The coveted pub guide - sponsored by Estrella Dam and likened to the Oscars of the pub world - announced the top places on this year's list at a ceremony on Monday (January 23)
The top spot was taken by Lancashire pub Parkers Arms, which is situated in an area of outstanding beauty with a menu that uses locally-sourced, foraged food. Last year's winner, The Unruly Pig in Suffolk, fell only by one place and was still praised for its winsome and wonderful pub food.
Last year's long list saw Redland's The Kensington Arms make it into the top 100 at number 80, a Pony restaurant group pub that has been praised for its astounding Sunday lunch offering. There were no new additions to the long list for Bristol this year despite the city's rich pub culture.
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If you're willing to travel for your pub lunch, the south west got several nods in the top 50 list including one in Somerset, one in Cornwall and five in Devon. The Mariners in Rock, Cornwall was voted number 11 and took the highest place in the region. The pub was relaunched by celebrity chef Paul Ainsworth and his wife Emma in 2019, who work with Cornish suppliers to gather the very best produce for their menu.
Just 40 minutes away from Bristol is Wiltshire's The Long Arms in South Wraxall at number 27. The pub shot up the list last year, soaring from number 40 in 2020 and has remained in the top 25 for another year, known for its excellent cask ale offering.
A Somerset pub also made it into the top 50 as Woods in Dulverton was placed at number 45. It's described as a charming, characterful pub tucked away on the edge of Exmoor that promises a true taste of the English countryside, with owner and farmer Paddy Groves showcasing his own lamb and pork.
The pubs involving a 90-minute drive from central Bristol included The Cadleigh Arms in Tiverton at number 17 which climbed 31 places from last year. Tucked away in the hills above the River Exe, the dog-friendly gastropub is known for its welcoming charm.
In Devon, The Masons Arms in Knowstone and The Swan in Bampton were number 23 and 36 respectively - also only 90 minutes from Bristol. Other pubs in the county that made it to the top 50 included The Cornish Arms in Tavistock (12) and Barnstaple's Pyne Arms (19), both more than a two-hour drive from the city.
The Top 50 Gastropubs 2023 list
1. Parkers Arms, Newton-In-Bowland, Lancashire
2. The Unruly Pig, Woodbridge, Suffolk
3. Freemasons at Wiswell, Wiswell, Lancashire
4. The Sportsman, Seasalter, Kent
5. The Kentish Hare, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
6. The Angel at Hetton, Hetton, Yorkshire
7. The White Swan at Fence, Fence, Lancashire
8. The Hand & Flowers, Marlow, Buckinghamshire
9. The Fordwich Arms, Canterbury, Kent
10. The Red Lion and Sun, London
11. The Mariners, Rock, Cornwall
12. The Cornish Arms, Tavistock, Devon
13. The Harwood Arms, London
14. Shibden Mill Inn, Halifax, Yorkshire
15. The Coach, Marlow, Buckinghamshire
16. The Beehive, Great Waltham, Essex
17. The Cadeleigh Arms, Tiverton, Devon
18. The Pack Horse, Hayfield, Derbyshire
19. Pyne Arms, Barnstaple, Devon
20. The Black Swan, Ravenstondale, Cumbria
21. The Moorcock Inn, Sowerby Bridge, Yorkshire
22. The Guinea Grill, London
23. The Baring, London
24. The Masons Arms, Knowstone, Devon
25. Canton Arms, London
26. The Rat Inn, Anick, Hexham, Northumberland
27. The Pipe and Glass, Beverley, Yorkshire
28. The Longs Arms, South Wraxall, Wiltshire
29. The Dog at Wingham, Canterbury, Kent
30. The Felin Fach Griffin, Brecon, Powys, Wales
31. The Hardwick, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Wales
32. The Loch and The Tyne, Old Windsor, Berkshire
33. The Bull & Last, London
34. The White Horse, Brancaster, Norfolk
35. The Black Bull, Sedbergh, Cumbria
36. The Swan, Bampton, Oxfordshire
37. The Bell Inn, Langford, Bedfordshire
38. Scran and Scallie, Edinburgh
39. The Dog & Gun Inn, Skelton, Cumbria
40. The Duck Inn, Stanhoe, Norfolk
41. The Duncombe Arms, Ashbourne, Staffordshire
42. The Black Bear Inn, Usk, Monmouthshire, Wales
43. Heft, High Newton, Cumbria
44. The Broad Chare, Newcastle
45. Woods, Dulverton, Somerset
46. The Gunton Arms, Norwich, Norfolk
47. The French House, London
48. The Eagle, Farringdon, London
49. The Butchers Arms, Hepworth, West Yorkshire
50. Royal Oak, Whatcote, Warwickshire
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