Local pubs celebrate national awards

8:33am Wednesday 15th October 2008

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They serve the best beers, the finest food and all with a smile.

Now two Hampshire pubs are celebrating after being recognised among the best in the country.

Set in the heart of the Forest, the Royal Oak at Fritham was awarded the prestigious title of Best Country Pub in the latest edition of the pub-goer’s bible The Good Pub Guide.

To add to the county’s success, Mark and Sue Watts, landlord and landlady of 17th century coaching inn the Rising Sun at Swanmore, were named Licensees of the Year.

Neil McCulloch, who with wife Pauline has run the Royal Oak for ten years, said: “We’re delighted.

“We have put a lot of hard work into the pub so to get this award is fantastic.”

Judges of the awards praised the pub for its “traditional rooms, log fires and real ales”.

Neil said the key to the pub’s success was its winning mix of simple but good food, a wide range of real ales and a great Forest setting.

“We’re in a beautiful setting and it’s a very attractive, cosy pub in the heart of the Forest,” he added.

“We offer real ale and simple, home-made food and I think that’s what the judges liked.”

Rising Sun landlord Mark Watts said being named Licensees of the Year was “very special”.

Judges noted “the hands-on licensees give it a really good atmosphere”.

He said: “It’s excellent to have won this award, it’s very special.

“Sue and I live at the pub, and we treat them as guests in our house.

“A warm welcome and friendly service goes a long way, and we try to look after our customers as you would look after guests in your home.”

The Pub of the Year award went to The Golden Heart near Brimpsfield, Gloucestershire, for its “affordable food, good beers, welcoming atmosphere and bags of character”.

The survey also revealed that the average price of a pint in Hampshire – £2.67 – was in the top third in the country.

The cheapest place to buy a beer was the West Midlands at £2.25 and the most expensive, at £2.88, was Surrey.