The Newbury Pub, Newbury

The Newbury has been winning plaudits left right and centre since owner Peter Lumber injected new life into this old Newbury boozer back in 2012. But the last 2 years this great gastropub has really hit its stride, featuring regularly in the Michelin Guide and a stack of awards. Most importantly, it’s The Muddy Award winner for Best Casual Dining in 2016 and Best Bar in 2017, as well as a finalist in Best Destination Pub! You’ll find it the town centre in West Berkshire, famous for its racecourse but there’s a lovely mix of indie shops alongside high street regulars.

Peter, The Newbury’s owner, certainly has commercial nous: looking at new and creative way to introduce something new to The Newbury offering. There is currently a bar, restaurant, cocktail bar and outside terrace.

The bar is cool and buzzy with lots of artisan spirits and a great wine list, and the food is top notch. He uses the very best local produce to create good looking, tasty food – the menu is a delicious mix of pub classics and more ambitious Modern British dishes. It is worth noting, Peter also has excellent taste, so the interiors are stylish, whimsical and on the cooler side of ‘countryside’. And the art on the wall is phenomenal, it is Peter’s great passion and it shows. He has an awesome collection of photographs, prints and wall hangings, make this place utterly unique.

The Newbury Pub is 15 minutes from Muddy Berks HQ so I’ve eaten here a few times and it’s definitely one of the best pubs in the local area, and excellent for Sunday lunches for those travelling further afield.