Two Hertfordshire pubs named among best in the UK – here’s why

Created by the Mail Online and Campaign for Real Ale, the list aims to highlight some of the best Great British pubs in the villages, towns and cities around the UK.

The media outlet compiled the list by asking many of the biggest names in the British food and drink industry for their opinion, including the likes of  Tom Parker-Bowles, Raymond Blanc, Michel Roux Jr and Dame Prue Leith.

Hundreds of reviews and food and drink awards were also considered, along with opinions from pub experts such as Ed Bedington.

You can see the full list via the Mail Online.

Two Hertfordshire pubs named among UK’s best

The two pubs named on the list are The Plough in King’s Walden and The Fox and Hounds in Hunsdon, near Ware.

The Plough, which has “gorgeous countryside views in the beer garden”, dates back to 1846 and counts French chef Jean-Christophe Novelli as a punter, according to Mail Online.

It serves a wide range of drinks including Guinness, Wild Wave English Cider, and Ease UP I.P.A from Adnams Southwold, to name a few.

For food, the pub says: “The Plough aims to serve food later in 2024 when we’re up and running and serving the best drinks possible.

“Until that time we will be hosting a series of food trucks on our dedicated food truck platform where you can take in breathtaking views whilst you wait for your fish and chips, pizzas, taco, Asian-inspired cuisine or BBQ.”

On Tripadvisor, The Plough has a rating of 4.5/5, as one guest shared: “We are so lucky to have this wonderful pub in the village.” 

Referring to The Fox and Hounds, the Mail Online wrote: “Chef James Rix and his wife Bianca have turned their dream of pub ownership into a reality, and Saturday Morning Kitchen host Matt Tebbutt is a huge fan.”

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Discussing the pub, Tebbut said: “The food is outstanding, and everything else, the setting, atmosphere is exactly what you’d want in a cute village pub.”

The food menu includes: Dorset clams Portuguese style, Parma ham wrapped chicken breast, new potatoes and a Caesar salad, and Raspberry and frangipane tart with clotted cream ice cream.

With a 4/5 Tripadvisor rating and Michelin star, one guest said: “Outstanding food, service and atmosphere. I have been lucky enough to eat in fine dining restaurants around the world and the food here is as good it gets, better than many and without being pretentious.”