The Parkers Arms in Clitheroe has been named the UK’s top gastropub by the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs list 2023. Having been voted number two last year and now topping this year’s makes for an exciting achievement for the female-owned pub, headed up by Kathy Smith and Stosie Madi. Set deep in the Lancashire hills, Parkers Arms is called ‘a little gem’ and is a true gastropub which takes pride in sourcing local produce from the very best suppliers.
Coming in at number two is last year’s winner and the host of this year’s list, The Unruly Pig. Head chefs, Dave and Karl, are known as the “dynamic duo” and are the real powerhouse behind the entire kitchen team. Voted at number three, Freemasons at Wiswell, is set in the quaint Ribble Valley village, and blends the ultimate gastronomic experience in a stylish, relaxed atmosphere.
The South dominated this year’s list, claiming 22 of the Top 50. The Mariners, set in Rock, Cornwall was voted number 11 on the list this year. Celebrity chef, Paul Ainsworth and his wife, Emma relaunched the pub in 2019 and work with Cornish suppliers to gather the very best produce for their menu. The North of the UK wasn’t far behind, claiming 16 of the top 50 spots.
This year’s highest climber was The Cadeleigh Arms in Tiverton, moving up 31 places from last year to claim number 17 on the list. Tucked away in the hills above the River Exe, this dog-friendly gastropub is known for its welcoming charm.
There are five new entrants on this year’s Top 50 list including The Baring in London, the highest new entrant, which came in at number 23. The Baring is the ideal neighbourhood pub, focusing on cooking sustainably. In the East, on the marshy coastline of Norfolk you’ll find The White Horse, another new entrant, voted number 34 on this year’s list.
Other awards announced today were, One to Watch – which was given to The Victoria Oxshott, in Surrey. The Oarsman in Marlow was awarded Newcomer of the Year. Brook House in Fulham won best Front of House Team, and 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 Top 50 Gastropubs 2023 list is as follows:
| 1 | Parkers Arms, Newton-In-Bowland |
| 2 | The Unruly Pig, Woodbridge |
| 3 | Freemasons at Wiswell, Wiswell |
| 4 | The Sportsman, Seasalter |
| 5 | The Kentish Hare, Tunbridge Wells |
| 6 | The Angel at Hetton, Hetton |
| 7 | The White Swan at Fence, Fence |
| 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 |
| 15 | The Coach, Marlow |
| 16 | The Beehive, Great Waltham |
| 17 | The Cadeleigh Arms, Tiverton |
| 18 | The Pack Horse, Hayfield |
| 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 |
For the full list, visit www.top50gastropubs.com
ENDS
Media enquires: Contact Sophia Dearie, Megan Pryor and Johara Chambers at Phipps Relations / Top50@thisisphipps.com
Note to editor:
The awards should always, in the first instance, be referred to as the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs.
The full list is online www.top50gastropubs.com or follow us on Twitter and Instagram with the handle @Top50Gastropubs.
About Top 50
The Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs list is compiled using hundreds of votes from food critics and writers, gastropub chefs and other food influencers. www.top50gastropubs.com is brought to you by pub trade magazine The Morning Advertiser with headline partner Estrella Damm.
The brand is sister to Top 50 Cocktail Bars, and Top 50 Boutique Hotels, which ranks the UK’s top bars and hotels through votes. For more information visit www.top50cocktailbars.com or www.top50boutiquehotels.com.
Top 50 are consumer-facing brands owned and produced by William Reed title The Morning Advertiser.
About The Morning Advertiser:
The Morning Advertiser (MA) was launched in 1794 and is one of the longest running publications in the world. Now firmly in the 21st century, MA continues to be the definitive voice for the pub trade – offering the latest pub news and unique advice-driven content for publicans, delivering powerful insights and robust information to help their businesses succeed.
Our team of award-winning journalists deliver daily news, analysis, online and face-to-face events, podcasts and video coverage of the issues and stories impacting decision makers in the licensed trade. Attracting online readership from across the licensed trade, we’re the go-to hub for access to the latest news, analysis, and insights from the UK pub sector, providing pub operators with invaluable advice to grow their business.
Press release from Phipps.
Media enquires: Contact Sophia Dearie, Megan Pryor and Johara Chambers at Phipps Relations / Top50@thisisphipps.com