There is no better way to spend a warm, hazy spring afternoon than in a pub. Pubs are a quintessentially British institution, and nowhere does them quite like the UK. Pub in the Park, one of the most anticipated events in the foodie calendar, is just around the corner as it returns to Marlow for its ninth year, celebrating everything that is great about British food and drink.
Boasting an impressive line-up of the finest culinary talent the UK has to offer, visitors can savour outstanding food, exceptional cooking, and a refreshing pint. To pay tribute to the great British pub, some of the country's top chefs shared their favourite watering holes with the Express. From bustling London hotspots to cherished regional gems, these chefs certainly know where to find a decent pint to enjoy in the sunshine this spring.
So if you are on the hunt for a pub with a chef's seal of approval, here is what the likes of James Martin, Saturday Kitchen's Matt Tebbutt, and culinary icon Raymond Blanc OBE consider to be the finest pubs in the UK.
Raymond Blanc OBE
Legendary chef Raymond Blanc said: "Of course there are many many wonderful pubs across the UK and I am proud to inspire the menu at Heartwood Inns. Close to home, I like very much, The Devonshire in Soho run by my friend Ashley Palmer-Watts - always great food and brimming with conviviality."
James Martin
Celebrity chef James said: "Wonston Arms, run by husband and wife team, Matt and Lisa - wet lead pub with great food popup. It has won Best Little Pub in Hampshire and UK several years now."
Genevieve Taylor
Live fire and BBQ expert and the mastermind behind the Bristol Fire School, Genevieve said: "That has to be Lost & Grounded Brewers in Bristol. They have an amazing taproom, it's only open on Fridays & Saturdays and occasionally Sundays if its a really sunny day and, full disclosure, it's owned by a really good friend of mine but their Keller Pills is absolutely banging, it's my favourite beer and they made me a How to BBQ beer for my book launch! We sold those to raise money for the Alzheimer's Research Charity in honour of my mum, and we made so much money - over five grand. So definitely Lost & Grounded Brewers in Bristol."
Adam Purnell aka Shropshire Lad
Adam said: "Favourite pub is The Highland Laddie in Leeds, which quite rightly won the best pub in the UK by the Good Food Guide recently. The bar snacks, oysters and beer selection are all amazing, the place looks awesome and has a real vibe. It's next level!"
Big Nath's BBQ
Nathan Ritchie, aka Big Nath, commented: "We are spoiled in Bristol, with loads of amazing pubs but one of my favourites is Small Bar on Kings Street, an amazing selection of beers and ciders, plus Wings Diner is based there (some of the best Korean fried chicken about). Location is amazing for a bit of a pub crawl, Kings Street is great pub after great pub. Also the Apple boat pub for all the cider (where Kins and I had our first date)."
Matt Tebbutt
The Saturday Kitchen presenter and chef commented: "Well that's a difficult one....pubs are different things at different times....some for summer, some for winter. An overall joy to visit is The Fox & Hounds in Hunsdon, Hertfordshire....is run by James and Bianca Rix and the food is incredible. It's got a lovely beer garden for the good weather and cosy fires for the colder days....It's the quintessential English village country pub that we don't have enough of anymore."
Jack Blumenthal
Jack, son of culinary legend Heston Blumenthal and the mastermind behind Ginger Wings, said: "Going to be biased here, Hinds Head in Bray. It's a posh pub but its unmatched ribeye, chips and a crisp pint."
LumberJaxe
Brendon and Jaydon, the founders of the family-run seasoning and sauce brand Lumberjaxe, said: "Our favourite pub in the UK is undoubtedly The Fox Inn in Stourton. It's a good old country pub with a great atmosphere and amazing pub food!"
John Chantarasak
John, co-founder of Michelin star restaurant AngloThai and Great British Menu star, said: "It's not strictly a pub but I like to visit Mondo Brewery & Taproom, which is tucked away in an inconspicuous area of my home neighborhood of Battersea. They have upwards of 15 beers on tap, with many of them brewed on premises. I'm such a fan of their beers that we have our very own AngloThai lager brewed by Mondo for the London restaurant."
Melissa Thompson
Award-winning food writer and cook Melissa said: "My favourite pub would have to be The Watson's General Telegraph down the road from me in Honor Oak, South East London. It's got lovely staff, a beautiful open outdoor space, amazing food and an incredible beer selection. Plus their Sunday Roast is excellent with both porchetta and rotisserie chicken on the menu. Everything you need in a pub."
Karan Gokani
Karan, the mastermind behind Sri Lankan restaurant Hoppers, said: "The Hound Chiswick for classic and The Heron off Edgware Road for the best Thai food. Three Falcons (in London's St John's Wood) is also very good for Indian."
Simon Rimmer
Simon, chef and presenter on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch, named two venues: "Devonshire in Soho and Crown Posada in Newcastle."
Atul Kochhar
Atul, Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur, said: "The Three Fishes by Nigel Haworth in Mitton in the beautiful Ribble Valley especially for its farm-to-fork approach."
Thuy Diem Pham
Thuy, a bestselling cookbook author and chef, commented: "Galvin Green Man (Chelmsford, Essex) by Galvin brothers."
Candice Brown
Former Great British Bake Off champion and pub proprietor Candice said: "Well I could think about this, but it's definitely my own! The Green Man Eversholt! We've worked so hard to create something so special it can't not be my favourite!!"
Chris Bavin
TV presenter Chris said: "My favourite pub in the UK is the Grey Horse in Sunbury on Thames. My local for many many years and a place that feels like home."
Pub in the Park returns to Higginson Park, Marlow from Thursday, May 14 to Sunday, May 17. Tickets are available to purchase now, starting from £47. For more information, visit the official website.
