Wiltshire


<p>Cold winter walks are worth it for many things: fresh air, Hunter wellies and triple-cooked chips. Because why go to the bother of traipsing through all that frosty countryside for pretty views alone, when you could also be rewarded with a toasty couple of hours guzzling handcooked fries dipped in truffle mayo in front of a roaring log fire in a gastropub &#8211; especially an award-winning one?</p>



<p>We&#8217;ve long known that Wilts surpasses itself with imaginative inns, and this year the great and the foodie good have recognised it too, with one local watering hole making it into this year&#8217;s <a href="https://www.top50gastropubs.com/list/1-50">Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs</a> &#8211; and another four crashing into the top 100. This prestigious list, now in its 15th year, is voted for by foodie industry insiders and we&#8217;re thrilled they&#8217;ve given a big fat nod to Wilts. Want to find out who won? And which pubs are worth visiting just over the border too?  Race you to the table&#8230;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-longs-arms-south-wraxall-no-30"><a href="https://www.thelongsarms.com">The Longs Arms</a>, South Wraxall (No. 30)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/01/THE-LONG-ARMS-PUB.jpg" alt="The long arms pub exterior " class="wp-image-32585" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/01/THE-LONG-ARMS-PUB.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/01/THE-LONG-ARMS-PUB-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/01/THE-LONG-ARMS-PUB-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Staying in the top 30 since it shot up from number 40 in 2020, this pub is an Estrella frequenter for its warm and friendly service, and fresh seasonal produce. Chef-patron Rob Allcock delights in creating a super-tasty menu with pub grub highlights, including steak and kidney pie with butter mash, seasonal greens and gravy, plus a homemade desserts menu including Vanilla and lime frozen parfait, chocolate ganache, walnut brittle.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Try this</strong>: Isle of Gigha halibut, dill pomme dauphine, cavelo nero, bacon, shrimps, olives, cucumber, laverbread.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-castle-inn-castle-combe-no-64"><a href="https://www.exclusive.co.uk/the-castle-inn/">The Castle Inn</a>, Castle Combe (No. 64)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="677" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/01/THE-CASTLE-INN.jpg" alt="The castle inn pub inside " class="wp-image-32584" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/01/THE-CASTLE-INN.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/01/THE-CASTLE-INN-800x542.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/01/THE-CASTLE-INN-768x520.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Sitting in the Insta-worthy village of Castle Combe, you&#8217;ve probably scrolled past this gem on social media, but it serves a lot more than brilliant photo ops. The Castle Inn made its Estrella debut in 2022 at number 37 and has nabbed another spot this year, so you know you&#8217;re in for a treat with grub. Headed up by Chef Jamie Barnett, the menu is a mouth-watering selection of traditional gastro dishes with a focus on seasonal produce, plus the pub offers veggie, vegan, and gluten-free options.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Try this</strong>: Lager Battered Haddock, Beef Dripping Chips, Mushy Peas &amp; Rapeseed Oil Tartare.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-black-swan-devizes-no-82"><a href="https://www.blackswandevizes.co.uk">The Black Swan</a>, Devizes (No. 82)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/01/black-swan-devizes.png" alt="The black swan pub exterior " class="wp-image-29921" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/01/black-swan-devizes.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/01/black-swan-devizes-800x534.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/01/black-swan-devizes-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/01/black-swan-devizes-768x513.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/01/black-swan-devizes-787x525.png 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Another returning contender from last year, you&#8217;ll find The Black Swan in a fine old Georgian townhouse. Owned by local brewer Wadworth, it&#8217;s none-the-less chef Kevin Chandler, who owns the kitchen. He&#8217;s worked with some of the nation’s top chefs, including Rick Stein and now brings his experience and passion to The Black Swan. He&#8217;s forged a close relationship with suppliers like local butcher Walter Rose &amp; Son and fruit and veg wholesaler Lovejoys.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Try this</strong>: Dry-aged steak with triple-cooked chips, portobello mushroom and slow-cooked tomato.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-methuen-arms-corsham-no-86"><a href="https://butcombe.com/the-methuen-arms-wiltshire/">The Methuen Arms</a>, Corsham (No. 86)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/01/THE-METHEUM-ARMS-.jpg" alt="The methuen arms bar area with open fireplace " class="wp-image-32586" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/01/THE-METHEUM-ARMS-.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/01/THE-METHEUM-ARMS--800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/01/THE-METHEUM-ARMS--768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>No stranger to bagging shiny awards (including a Muddy Award for Best Boutique Stay in 2021 and 2022), The Methuen Arms is home to a toasty open fire, rustic decor, and killer pints (it&#8217;s owned by brew royalty Butcombe Brewing, after all). The menu&#8217;s full of pub classics with a modern twist, whipped up using local produce and ingredients freshly plucked from the pub&#8217;s kitchen gardens. Word on the street, they serve the best beef burgers in the county.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Try this</strong>: Aberdeen Angus and Hereford cross beef, 28-day dry-aged on the bone using Himalayan salt. Served with garlic butter, Koffmann&#8217;s chips, confit tomato, roasted mushroom and watercress.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-beckford-arms-fonthill-100"><a href="https://www.beckfordarms.com">The Beckford Arms</a>, Fonthill (100)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/01/The-beckford-arms-ext.jpg" alt="the beck ford arms exterior " class="wp-image-32600" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/01/The-beckford-arms-ext.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/01/The-beckford-arms-ext-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/01/The-beckford-arms-ext-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Squeezing into the 100th spot, The Beckford Arms sits in the gorgeous parkland on the Fonthill Estate in all its country pub glory. We&#8217;ve praised this Cotswolds cracker for its lovely locale with everything from horseback riding to walking and cycling trails to fly fishing &#8211; but the menu is just as impressive, with most ingredients sourced from quality suppliers just a hop over our border;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.castlemeadpoultry.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Castlemead</a>&nbsp;on the poultry,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.longmancheese.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Longman&#8217;s&nbsp;</a>on the cheese, and&nbsp;<a href="https://fusselsfinefoods.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fussels&nbsp;</a>on the oils.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Try this</strong>: pan-fried sea bass, Cornish new potatoes, fennel velouté, burnt orange pearls.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-got-stretchy-pants-will-travel">Got stretchy pants, will travel! </h2>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-berkshire">BERKSHIRE</h4>



<ul>
<li><a href="http://thebeehivewhitewaltham.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Beehive</a>, White Waltham (No. 22)</li>



<li><a href="https://www.lochandtyne.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Loch &amp; The Tyne</a>, Old Windsor (No. 42)</li>



<li><a href="http://www.dewdropinnhurley.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Dew Drop Inn</a>, Hurley (No. 44)</li>
</ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-somerset">SOMERSET</h4>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://thethreehorseshoesbatcombe.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Three Horseshoes</a>, Batcombe (No. 25)</li>



<li><a href="https://www.thebarringtonboar.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Barrington Boar</a>, near Ilminster (No. 35)</li>
</ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oxfordshire">OXFORDSHIRE</h4>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.countrycreatures.com/double-red-duke/">The Double Red Duke</a>, Clanfield (No. 46)</li>



<li><a href="https://thebullcharlbury.com">The Bull</a>, Charlbury (No. 50)</li>
</ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gloucestershire">GLOUCESTERSHIRE</h4>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.thewoolpackslad.com">The Woolpack Inn</a>, Slad (No. 34)</li>
</ul>


Top 100 UK gastropubs 2024 -revealed!

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