Top 50 Gastropubs

The Pony & Trap

Chew Magna, Somerset

Is there such thing as the perfect country pub? If there is, then it’s likely to be the Pony & Trap in Chew Magna, Bristol.

Brother and sister duo Josh and Holly Eggleton’s Somerset boozer has held a Michelin star since 2011, largely due to Josh’s devotion to British cooking and local produce.

Josh has become something of a superstar, having appeared on BBC2’s Great British Menu alongside former Top 50 Gastropubs alumni Emily Watkins who used to own the Kingham Plough, Oxfordshire, and Dominic Chapman of the Beehive, White Waltham.

Chef-patron Eggleton’s obsession with food is reflected in the Pony & Trap’s daily changing menus. But, despite having won a Michelin-star, the Eggletons aren’t interested in running anything other than a cosy country pub that serves those from all walks of life.

Taking inspiration from the local area, the Eggletons grow a lot of ingredients in their garden and pride themselves on continuously learning and evolving with the rapidly changing sector.

Josh is known for playing with bold flavours and flexing his muscles when it comes to his cooking technique, almost as if he’s afraid of nothing in the kitchen.

The restaurant is currently closed but opening again in Spring 2022 alongside the cookery school.

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