Local pub named best in England

The Trout in Faringdon has been named Pub of the Year England

A Thames pub has been named England's Pub of the Year.

Helen and Gareth Pugh, owners of The Trout Inn, received their award from Natasha Kaplinsky at the London Hilton on Park Lane.

The glamorous black tie event also included a gourmet meal by Gary Rhodes and a performance by Britain's Got Talent winners Diversity.

The Trout is an historic inn at a River Thames crossing point near the village of Buckland Marsh.

It boasts six bedrooms, log fires, cask ales and picturesque river walks.

"We're absolutely thrilled," Helen told BBC Oxford. "I have to put it down to my team of staff who always have a smile and that makes the difference.

"We had no idea we were being inspected and then out of the blue we had a letter saying we'd won the award!"

'Gorgeous'

Helen also puts their success - at a time when other pubs are closing - down to their location and the food by Head Chef Pascal Clavaud.

"We're very lucky in that we have the most superb location. We're right by the River Thames and we've got a gorgeous garden that stretches down to the river.

"My chef has produced amazing food using great local ingredients that he cooks very simply. And then I've got the most amazing team of staff."

The team at the Trout now proudly display their crystal trophy on the bar in the restaurant.

Helen and Gareth Pugh received their award from Natasha Kaplinsky

Recognition

The AA Hospitality Awards have been celebrating the best pubs, hotels and restaurants for the last 101 years.

"We selected The Trout at Tadpole Bridge as Pub of the Year for England because this delightful historic property featuring top notch inn-keeping, great food... and beautifully appointed accommodation, is a real destination pub worthy of a detour," said AA Hotel Services Group Area Manager Giovanna Grossi.

It's not the first time The Trout has received nationwide recognition. This latest accolade is added to a list that includes the Michelin Pubs Guide and The Good Food Guide. The inn was also last year's Oxfordshire Dining Pub of the Year.

Raymond Blanc was another winner at the ceremony. Blanc, now an OBE, opened his first ever restaurant in Summertown, Oxford, and won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the event.

In related news the 28th Good Pub Guide was published on 1 October. Amongst its Top 13 new entries is The Plough in Kingham.