There is no better way to spend a warm spring afternoon than at a British pub, a quintessentially UK institution. With Pub in the Park returning to Marlow for its ninth year, celebrating British food and drink, some of the nation's top chefs have shared their favourite pubs with the Express. From London hotspots to cherished regional treasures, these chefs know where to find a quality pint. Here are their top picks.
Raymond Blanc OBE
The legendary chef told us: "Of course there are 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
The celebrity chef revealed: "Wonston Arms, run by husband and wife team Matt and Lisa – a wet-led pub with a great food pop-up. It has won Best Little Pub in Hampshire and UK several years now."
Matt Tebbutt
The Saturday Kitchen star said: "That's a difficult one... pubs are different things at different times. An overall joy to visit is The Fox & Hounds in Hunsdon, Hertfordshire, run by James and Bianca Rix. The food is incredible, with a lovely beer garden for good weather and cosy fires for colder days. It's the quintessential English village country pub we don't have enough of."
Simon Rimmer
The Channel 4's Sunday Brunch chef and presenter picked two favourites: "Devonshire in Soho and Crown Posada in Newcastle."
Genevieve Taylor
The live fire and barbecue specialist said: "That has to be Lost & Grounded Brewers in Bristol. They have an amazing taproom, open only on Fridays and Saturdays, and occasionally Sundays if sunny. Their Keller Pills is my favourite beer, and they made me a How to BBQ beer for my book launch. We sold those to raise money for Alzheimer's Research Charity in honour of my mum, raising over five grand. So definitely Lost & Grounded Brewers in Bristol."
Adam Purnell (Shropshire Lad)
Adam said: "My favourite pub is The Highland Laddie in Leeds, which rightly won best pub in the UK by the Good Food Guide recently. The bar snacks, oysters and beer selection are amazing, the place looks awesome and has a real vibe. It's next level!"
Big Nath's BBQ (Nathan Ritchie)
Nathan told the Express: "We are spoiled in Bristol with loads of amazing pubs, but one of my favourites is Small Bar on Kings Street, with an amazing selection of beers and ciders, plus Wings Diner based there for some of the best Korean fried chicken. The location is great for a pub crawl – Kings Street is pub after great pub. Also the Apple boat pub for all the cider, where Kins and I had our first date."
Jack Blumenthal
Jack, son of Heston Blumenthal and founder of Ginger Wings, said: "I'll be biased – Hinds Head in Bray. It's a posh pub with unmatched ribeye, chips and a crisp pint."
LumberJaxe (Brendon and Jaydon)
The founders of the seasoning and sauce brand said: "Our favourite pub is undoubtedly The Fox Inn in Stourton. It's a good old country pub with great atmosphere and amazing pub food!"
John Chantarasak
John, co-founder of Michelin-starred AngloThai, revealed: "It's not strictly a pub, but I like Mondo Brewery & Taproom in Battersea. They have upwards of 15 beers on tap, many brewed on premises. I'm such a fan that we have our own AngloThai lager brewed by Mondo for the London restaurant."
Melissa Thompson
The award-winning food writer said: "My favourite pub is The Watson's General Telegraph in Honor Oak, South East London. It has lovely staff, a beautiful open outdoor space, amazing food and an incredible beer selection. Their Sunday Roast with porchetta and rotisserie chicken is excellent."
Karan Gokani
The Hoppers founder said: "The Hound Chiswick for classic, and The Heron off Edgware Road for the best Thai food. Three Falcons in St John's Wood is also very good for Indian."
Atul Kochhar
The Michelin-starred chef said: "The Three Fishes by Nigel Haworth in Mitton, Ribble Valley, especially for its farm-to-fork approach."
Thuy Diem Pham
The bestselling cookbook author revealed: "Galvin Green Man in Chelmsford, Essex, by the Galvin brothers."
Candice Brown
The Great British Bake Off champion turned pub owner shared: "I could think about this, but it's definitely my own! The Green Man Eversholt! We've worked so hard to create something special that it can't not be my favourite!"
Chris Bavin
The TV presenter shared: "My favourite pub is the Grey Horse in Sunbury on Thames. My local for many years, it feels like home."
Pub in the Park returns to Higginson Park, Marlow from Thursday, May 14 to Sunday, May 17. Tickets start from £47. For more information, visit the official website.
