A pub in Marlow has been named the best in south east England in the National Pub & Bar awards.

The Oarsman in Marlow is the only Buckinghamshire pub to make the cut, with Pub & Bar magazine rating venues on their quality of food and drink, team welfare, sustainability and more. 

A bistro pub and wine bar based on Spittal Street, The Oarsman is run by Nigel Sutcliffe and James McLean, founders of restaurant consultancy business, Truffle Hunting.

The pair said: “We are thrilled that The Oarsman has been awarded The Best Pub in Buckinghamshire, this is a significant milestone in the first year and a half of being opened and we would like to thank the whole team for their hard work and our amazing customers for their loyalty, as well as the Buckinghamshire community for their continuous support.”

Before purchasing The Oarsman in 2021, James was a recipient of the Young Chef of the Year Award while Nigel was Managing Director of The Crazy Bear Hotels Group and Director at The Fat Duck restaurant in Bray.

Michelin-star-winning chef Scott Smith was also recruited as part of The Oarsman's 2021 refurbishment, with the pub's menu blending his Scottish heritage with Mediterranean influences.

The pub was also recognised as Newcomer of the Year by Estrella Damm's Top 50 Gastropub Awards 2023.

An official awards ceremony will be held in London this June, with some county winners also taking home regional titles and one venue scooping up the overall National Pub & Bar of the year award.

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Editor of Pub & Bar magazine, Tristan O'Hana, said: "We were overwhelmed by the level and quality of entries this year. It just goes to show what magnificent work is going on across the UK hospitality sector.

“With outrageous energy costs, recruitment shortages and a punishing taxation system, these businesses are once again facing tough times.

"Now, more than ever, it is vital that people support their local pubs and bars. So, ahead of the long Easter weekend, why not check out the finest in your county?”

Readers can visit https://www.pubandbar.com/story.php?s=2020-11-16-national-pub-bar-awards&c=blue to view the full list of county winners.