Devon gastropub named in country's top 50 for fourth year running

The Swan at Bampton received the honour at an industry-wide awards ceremony

Pub owners are celebrating after being named as one of the top 50 gastropubs in the country for the fourth year running.

The Swan at Bampton received the honour at an industry-wide awards ceremony in Kent on Monday, January 27.

The multi-award-winning pub polled in at number 31 in the 2020 ‘Estrella Damm’ Top 50 Gastropub Awards.

Chef-patron Paul Berry, who co-owns The Swan with his wife and fellow award-winning chef Donna, said: “We’re delighted to be number 31 in the new list, 31 out of so many good pubs in the country is amazing.

“The competition in the industry is fierce, so to still be in the top 50 after four years is phenomenal. It’s a real slap on the back for our team and us customers and suppliers. They are tremendous and very supportive of all we do, so everyone has a share in this amazing award.

“It’s just four years since we made it into this elite group of pubs with chefs and teams who are at the very top of their game, so we couldn’t be happier. We’re so proud and, you can’t say this often about me, I am speechless! We’re blown away to be in such good company once again.

“The ‘Estrella Damm’ Top 50 Gastropub Awards are voted for by food writers, executive chefs, celebrity and top hospitality industry chefs, pub guide editors, industry chiefs and food operators. We’re the industry’s choice and are delighted to be part of these awards again this year.”

The ceremony is organised by the publican’s publication, The Morning Advertiser, which says the top 50 is the definitive list of the best gastropubs in Britain.

Editor of Food & Drink for The Morning Advertiser, Nicholas Robinson said: “Getting on this list is the jewel in the crown for foodie pubs across the UK. It’s the place to be seen.”

The pub has recently retained its four AA Gold Stars as well as two AA Rosettes for Culinary Excellence for five years running and was named by the AA as the nation’s ‘Inn of the Year’ 2019.

The Swan was named Gold Tourism Pub of the Year 2018 at the South West Tourism Excellence Awards and was voted Best Dining Pub for 2018 in the Trencherman Awards.

Donna was also one of three finalists in the Devon Life and Trencherman Awards in 2018.

To find out more about The Swan, call 01398 332248 or visit www.theswan.co.