UK's Best Gourmet Country Pubs
If you’ve booked yourself a countryside retreat for a relaxing getaway in 2013, you’ll no doubt be looking forward to exploring the UK’s beautiful valleys and rolling hills, as well as taking a look around pretty local villages. After a long day on foot, you’ll have worked up quite an appetite, so why not treat yourself to an unforgettable dinner at one of these impressive and often award-winning gourmet country pubs.
The Butcher’s Arms- Eldersfield, Gloucester
This small pub in Gloucester is everything you would hope for from an inn nestled in the heart of the countryside. Flag stone floors, low ceilings and exposed wooden beams are the perfect setting for a menu that has been awarded a Michelin star for 2012/13. The select menu consists of continually evolving seasonal dishes, all of which are perfectly executed.
The husband and wife team who run The Butcher’s Arms add a personal touch with their friendly and welcoming service, while the locally sourced ingredients are always fresh and of the highest quality. A real treat for a delicious evening meal in quaint and rural surroundings.
The Three Fishes- Ribble Valley, Lancashire
Situated in the tiny picturesque hamlet of Mitton in the Ribble Valley, The Three Fishes serves only the freshest of local ingredients complemented by a fine selection of cask ales, which you can sample a few of using beer bats.
This pub is clearly proud of its Lancashire heritage – and rightly so. The Lancashire hotpot is a must-try, while you can finish of your meal with an exquisite selection of Lancashire cheeses. Locally-sourced 21-day steaks are another favourite among diners, while selection of char grilled burgers will have you salivating as you read the menu.
The Hind’s Head- Bray, Berkshire
For fans of TV chef Heston Blumenthal, this pub will need no introduction. Voted the Michelin pub of the year 2011, The Hind’s Head is a 15th century pub with a friendly, local feel that masks a truly exquisite menu consisting of traditional British dishes with a twist.
Everyone knows Heston is famous for his quirky food and here you can sample wild mushroom macaroni, Hinds Head tea-smoked salmon, a hash of snails and chocolate wine slush.
The Pony & Trap- Chew Magna, Somerset
The Pony & Trap is another family-run, Michelin-starred pub, having been awarded the accolade in 2011, 2012 and 2013. The pub itself is over 200 years old and when current chef Josh Eggleton took the reins in 2006, the building underwent a full refurbishment while still retaining its original features.
A tasting menu, as well as separate lunch and dinner menus, is on offer and you can tickle your tastebuds with dishes such as 31 day dry aged Ashdale rib eye steak or pressed pork belly with chilli squid and langoustine sauce. For a real treat, order a side dish of truffle mash.
The Star Inn- Harome, North Yorkshire
If you’re looking for a pub with charm and character, then this is the choice for you. The Star Inn boasts a thatched roof, low beams and wonky walls with an endearing selection of framed pictures, all of which hang at quirky angles thanks to its higgledy-piggledy walls.
However, its haphazard appearance lulls you into a false sense of security and the pub serves truly delicious food that has led it to be voted White Rose Awards Yorkshire Pub of the Year 2012. There is strong local feel running through the menu, with ingredients such as Harome shot pheasant, Whitby brown crab and Hartlepool landed lemon sole.
Shane Williams
If you’ve booked yourself a countryside retreat for a relaxing getaway in 2013, you’ll no doubt be looking forward to exploring the UK’s beautiful valleys and rolling hills, as well as taking a look around pretty local villages. After a long day on foot, you’ll have worked up quite an appetite, so why not treat yourself to an unforgettable dinner at one of these impressive and often award-winning gourmet country pubs.
The Butcher’s Arms- Eldersfield, Gloucester
This small pub in Gloucester is everything you would hope for from an inn nestled in the heart of the countryside. Flag stone floors, low ceilings and exposed wooden beams are the perfect setting for a menu that has been awarded a Michelin star for 2012/13. The select menu consists of continually evolving seasonal dishes, all of which are perfectly executed.
The husband and wife team who run The Butcher’s Arms add a personal touch with their friendly and welcoming service, while the locally sourced ingredients are always fresh and of the highest quality. A real treat for a delicious evening meal in quaint and rural surroundings.
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| Image is licensed under CC Attribution |
The Three Fishes- Ribble Valley, Lancashire
Situated in the tiny picturesque hamlet of Mitton in the Ribble Valley, The Three Fishes serves only the freshest of local ingredients complemented by a fine selection of cask ales, which you can sample a few of using beer bats.
This pub is clearly proud of its Lancashire heritage – and rightly so. The Lancashire hotpot is a must-try, while you can finish of your meal with an exquisite selection of Lancashire cheeses. Locally-sourced 21-day steaks are another favourite among diners, while selection of char grilled burgers will have you salivating as you read the menu.
The Hind’s Head- Bray, Berkshire
For fans of TV chef Heston Blumenthal, this pub will need no introduction. Voted the Michelin pub of the year 2011, The Hind’s Head is a 15th century pub with a friendly, local feel that masks a truly exquisite menu consisting of traditional British dishes with a twist.
Everyone knows Heston is famous for his quirky food and here you can sample wild mushroom macaroni, Hinds Head tea-smoked salmon, a hash of snails and chocolate wine slush.
The Pony & Trap- Chew Magna, Somerset
The Pony & Trap is another family-run, Michelin-starred pub, having been awarded the accolade in 2011, 2012 and 2013. The pub itself is over 200 years old and when current chef Josh Eggleton took the reins in 2006, the building underwent a full refurbishment while still retaining its original features.
A tasting menu, as well as separate lunch and dinner menus, is on offer and you can tickle your tastebuds with dishes such as 31 day dry aged Ashdale rib eye steak or pressed pork belly with chilli squid and langoustine sauce. For a real treat, order a side dish of truffle mash.
The Star Inn- Harome, North Yorkshire
If you’re looking for a pub with charm and character, then this is the choice for you. The Star Inn boasts a thatched roof, low beams and wonky walls with an endearing selection of framed pictures, all of which hang at quirky angles thanks to its higgledy-piggledy walls.
However, its haphazard appearance lulls you into a false sense of security and the pub serves truly delicious food that has led it to be voted White Rose Awards Yorkshire Pub of the Year 2012. There is strong local feel running through the menu, with ingredients such as Harome shot pheasant, Whitby brown crab and Hartlepool landed lemon sole.
Shane Williams
About the Author:
This guest blog was contributed by Shane Williams a freelance blogger who reckons he knows all the best places to find great pub grub when on a luxury self catering uk holiday.
This guest blog was contributed by Shane Williams a freelance blogger who reckons he knows all the best places to find great pub grub when on a luxury self catering uk holiday.
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