UK's Best 50 Gastropubs announced and second place is only an hour away

The Parkers Arms, the celebrated pub in Newton-In-Bowland, has been named the second best gastropub in the country.

The pub, run by Stosie Madi and Kathy Smith, leapt up two spots from last year’s position in the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs awards, held in Manchester today.

It just missed out on the top spot to The Unruly Pig in Woodbridge, Suffolk, the highest climber from last year’s list.

But four out of the top five pubs are in the north.

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Top 50 Gastropubs publisher Chris Lowe said: “After a tough two years for the hospitality industry, we are thrilled to see such a strong list of contenders this year, including a new number one and several new entrants.

“The Top 50 Gastropubs provides a platform for food-lovers to explore the very best offerings across the UK.

“We are delighted to host this year’s event in Manchester for the first time, highlighting the range of talent across the UK. I’m incredibly delighted for Brendan and everyone at The Unruly Pig to get the number one spot.”

The Parkers has shot through the ranks, leaping from 48th place to second since 2017, leapfrogging The Star Inn in Harome, North Yorkshire, which took second place in last year’s list.

(Manchester Evening Newws)

The two top pubs head up a swathe of northern hostelries to have made it into the top 50.

The Freemasons at Wiswell, which provided the catering for the awards event at Escape To Freight Island, came in at number five, while The Moorcock in Sowerby Bridge jumped up 10 places to number 29.

Meanwhile, The Pack Horse in Hayfield, which has received reviews from national critics over the past year, entered the list for the first time at number 32.

It's also the closest of the top 50 to Greater Manchester.

Here’s the top 50 best gastropubs in full:

1. The Unruly Pig, Woodbridge
2. The Parkers Arms, Clitheroe
3. The Star Inn, Harome
4. The Angel at Hetton, Hetton
5. Freemasons at Wiswell, Clitheroe
6. The Sportsman, Whitstable
7. The Guinea Grill, London
8. The Fordwich Arms, Canterbury
9. The Mariners, Rock
10. The Hand and Flowers, Marlow
11. The Beehive, White Waltham
12. The Kentish Hare, Bidborough
13. The Coach, Marlow
14. The Cornish Arms, Tavistock
15. The Harwood Arms, London
16. The Red Lion and Sun, London
17. The Pyne Arms, Barnstaple
18. The Rat Inn, Anick
19. The Broad Chare, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
20. The Hardwick, Abergavenny
21. The Bull & Last, London
22. The Masons Arms, Knowstone
23. The Pipe and Glass, Barnsley
24. The Longs Arms, South Wraxall
25. The Swan, Bampton
26. The White Swan at Fence, Fence
27. The Loch and The Tyne, Old Windsor
28. The Duncombe Arms, Ashbourne
29. The French House, Soho
30. The Moorcock, Norland Moor
31. The Shibden Mill Inn, Shibden
32. The Pack Horse, Hayfield
33. Heft, High Newton
34. The Felin Fach Griffin, Brecon
35. The Five Bells Inn, Cullompton
36. St Kew Inn, Bodmin
37. The Castle Inn, Castle Combe
38. The Canton Arms, Stockwell
39. The Higher Buck, Waddington
40. The Duck Inn, Pett Bottom
41. The Hovingham Arms, Yorkshire
42. The Plough, Coton
43. The Three Hills, Bartlow
44. The Hind's Head, Bray
45. The Dog at Wingham, Wingham
46. The Bell Inn, Langford
47. The Black Bear Inn, Usk
48. The Cadeleigh Arms, Tiverton
49. The Bailiwick Free House, Egham
50. The Cross, Kenilworth

The Top 50 Gastropubs list is now in its 13th year, and is voted for by 400 gastropub owners, food critics and industry experts.