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The UK’s Top 50 gastropubs have been revealed – and 4 of the top 5 are in the north

Four of the top five pubs in this year's list are in the north

Georgina Pellant - 25th January 2022

The Top 50 gastropubs in the UK have been revealed, and it’s safe to say we’re well and truly spoilt here in the north.

Four out of five of the country’s very best foodie pubs are located up north, with number two – The Parkers Arms in Clitheroe – just an hour’s drive from Manchester.

Time to start making some bookings.

Despite being pipped to the top spot by Suffolk’s Unruly Pig, the Clitheroe pub has still leapt up two spots from its 2021 position to make it the best in the north of England, according to the prestigious Estrella Damn Top 50 Gastropubs 2022 list.

Other pubs up north to achieve recognition in the list include The Star Inn (Harome, North Yorkshire), The Angel (Hetton, Skipton), and Freemasons (Wiswell, Clitheroe), ranking at numbers 3, 4 and 5 respectively.

It’s certainly been an eventful year for Michelin-starred pub The Star Inn, which burnt down in a fire in 2020 – yet still managed to claim one of the top spots, despite only having been back open for a few months.

Further down the list sits the critically acclaimed Pack Horse at Hayfield, which sits at the foot of Kinder Scout and is only a 50-minute drive from Manchester. The pub was also recently added to the Michelin Guide, to the delight of chef-owner Luke Payne.

In total, fifteen northern pubs made it into the top 50 list, with more notable selections close to Manchester including West Yorkshire pubs The Moorcock in Sowerby Bridge, and The Shibden Mill Inn.

Suffolk’s Unruly Pig, meanwhile, was been crowned the UK’s finest, moving up from last year’s Highest Climber category to become the very best in the Estrella Damn Top 50 Gastropubs 2022 list today.  

The Top 50 Gastropubs list, now in its 13th year, ranks the UK’s best gastropubs according to the votes from more than 400 gastropub owners, food critics and other industry experts.   

Chris Lowe,, Top 50 Gastropubs publisher, 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 1 spot.” 

Further northern pubs to feature in the list include The Rat Inn (Anick, Hexham) The Broad Chare (Newcastle Upon Tyne), The Higher Buck, Waddington (near Manchester), The Pipe and Glass, (Barnsley,Yorkshire), The Shibden Mill Inn (Shibden, West Yorkshire), The White Swan at Fence (Fence, Burnley), Heft (High Newton, Lancashire), The Higher Buck (Waddington, Lancashire) and The Hovingham Inn (Yorkshire).

James Healey, UK Country Manager for Estrella Damm, said: “As the authentic premium beer of Barcelona, Estrella Damm is proud to continue to support the UK’s gastropubs.

“This is the seventh year that we have sponsored the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropub Awards, an awards ceremony that celebrates high calibre ingredients, culinary excellence and innovation, qualities that are also shared by Estrella Damm.

“We want to extend our congratulations to all 50 gastropubs on the list and hope more pub-goers are lucky enough to experience their talent in 2022.” 

The Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs 2022 list is as follows: 

1              The Unruly Pig, Woodbridge

2              Parkers Arms, Clitheroe

3              The Star Inn at Harome, 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 & 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 Inn, 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

Feature image – The Parkers Arms