3 December 2024 by Rhiannon Ingle

Whether it's for perfectly-poured Guinness, the hearty scran or simply the general vibe of the joint - it's clear  there's nothing better than a proper good pub.

And, fortunately for us lot here in the North West, five spots have made it into this year's Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs shortlist.

Plus, out of that handful, we've got one much-loved Manchester stalwart which is the only city centre joint to make it into the prestigious list.

So, without further ado, let's get into it...

The Parkers Arms, Newton-in-Bowland

It's no surprise this historic rural inn in an Area of Outstanding National Beauty serving excellent award-winning modern British classics has made it onto the shortlist.

In fact, The Parkers Arms already took the top spot back in 2023.

Chef-patron Stosie Madie said: "The Parkers Arms is a country pub that welcomes everyone and their dog. It’s all about food and local sourcing and what grows around here and on our doorstep.

"Our menu is also ruled by what’s local. We made a decision a long time ago that, if it doesn’t grow in the area or within a 30-mile radius, apart from something like chocolate, vanilla or spices, we don’t want it on the menu."

The Pack Horse, Hayfield

Up next on the list is The Pack Horse in Hayfield.

Head chef Luke Payne says: "Everything we do is driven by my passion to provide a menu that highlights the best seasonal, sustainable, ethically-sourced British produce.

"We also aim to ensure our farmers and suppliers receive a fair deal for their commitment to providing us with quality ingredients that are nurtured and respected all the way from the farms, through our kitchen to your plate.

"Eat well and in good conscience."

The White Swan at Fence, Fence

This Burnley pub is pub 'like no other'.

"From the outside, the venue looks like a typical village boozer where you’d expect to find a bar filled with thirsty punters, perhaps nibbling on a cheese toastie or two," Estrella Damm writes. 

"But wipe this image from your mind immediately, as the one Michelin-starred White Swan at Fence is a very special place indeed and serves some of the very best food in the region."

The Three Fishes, Mitton

The Three Fishes is a pub that has sustainability at its core.

Michelin starred chef Nigel Hawthorne, who previously worked at the Northcote, bought the Lancashire pub in 2021 with plans to take it to 'new heights'.

Dishes range from contemporary to classic British, showcasing Lancashire’s exceptional ingredients. The aim is to deliver truly exceptional dishes from farm to fork, with zero waste being a top priority.

The Edinburgh Castle, Ancoats

This historic city centre boozer, whose building has stood in Ancoats since 1811, has been described by food critic Jay Rayner as a 'great place to eat'

Executive chef Shaun Moffat joined the group in September 2022 before chef Gabe Lea took over the reins.

The Edinburgh Castle puts out some absolutely superb and exciting food including dishes like Colchester oysters & Rhubarb mignonette, Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire cheese doughnuts and Red House farm cull ewe - saddle chop. 

The Good Food Guide named it among one of Britain’s cosiest pubs describing it as 'a handsome example of a classic Victorian city boozer'.

While according to Jay Rayner: "There’s a deftness, solidity and wit to the cooking, utilising ingredients of quality. The service is sometimes chaotic but, like a primary school ballet class, always enthusiastic.”

He also praised the 'touches of pronounced Northern-ness'.

The full Top 50 pubs are:

• Heft, High Newton, Cumbria
• Parkers Arms, Newton-in-Bowland, Lancashire
• The Abbey Inn , Byland, North Yorkshire
• The Angel at Hetton, Hetton, North Yorkshire
• The Baring, Islington, north London
• The Black Bear Inn, Bettws Newydd, Monmouthshire
• The Black Bull, Sedbergh, Cumbria
• The Broad Chare, Newcastle
• The Bull, Charlbury, Oxfordshire
• The Bull & Last, Highgate, North London
• The Bull’s Head, Craswall, Herefordshie
• The Camberwell Arms, Camberwell, South London
• The Canton Arms, Stockwell, South London
• The Clarence Tavern, Stoke Newington, North-East London
• The Coach, Marlow, Buckinghamshire
• The Cornish Arms, Tavistock, Devon
• The Crown, Burchetts Green, Berkshire
• The Devonshire, Soho, Central London
• The Dog & Gun Inn, Skelton, Cumbria
• The Dog at Wingham, Wingham, Kent
• The Double Red Duke, Clanfield, Oxfordshire
• The Drapers Arms, Islington, North London
• The Durham Ox, Crayke, North Yorkshire
• The Eagle, Farringdon, North London
• The Edinburgh Castle, Manchester
• The Fordwich Arms, Canterbury, Kent
• The Gunton Arms, Thorpe Market, Norfolk
• The Hand and Flowers, Marlow, Buckinghamshire
• The Harwood Arms, Fulham, West London
• The Loch & The Tyne by Adam Handling, Old Windsor, Berkshire
• The Longs Arms, South Wraxall, Wiltshire
• The Mariners, Rock, Cornwall
• The Merry Harriers, Hambledon, Surrey
• The Pack Horse, Hayfield, Derbyshire
• The Pipe and Glass Inn, South Dalton, East Yorkshire
• The Rat Inn, Anick, Northumberland
• The Red Lion & Sun, Highgate, North London
• The Scran and Scallie, Edinburgh
• The Shibden Mill Inn, Halifax, West Yorkshire
• The Silver Cup, Harpenden, Hertfordshire
• The Sportsman, Seasalter, Kent
• The Star at Harome, Harome, North Yorkshire
• The Tamil Prince, Islington, North London
• The Three Fishes, Mitton, Lancashire
• The Three Horseshoes, Batcombe, Somerset
• The Unruly Pig, Woodbridge, Suffolk
• The Waterman’s Arms, Barnes, South-West London
• The White Swan at Fence, Fence, Lancashire
• The Wild Rabbit, Kingham, Oxfordshire
• The Woolpack Inn, Slad, Gloucestershire

The 2025 positions will be announced early doors next year on Monday 27^th January 2025.