The Cartford Inn named Pub of the Year

Lancashire local chosen by Telegraph readers in the Sawday’s Pub Awards

The prestigious annual Sawday’s Pub Awards, which have been run in partnership with The Telegraph to find the nation’s best-loved pubs, have been announced today. The Cartford Inn in Little Eccleston has been awarded the coveted title of ‘Pub of the Year 2020’.

The Telegraph readers voted in their thousands for their favourite pub, and the overall winner was chosen by the paper’s editors for its authenticity, warm welcome and quirky take on a countryside inn.

Paul Davies, Editor of The Telegraph’s “Saturday” supplement, said:

“I’m delighted that we are once again collaborating with Sawday’s to champion Britain's best pubs, as nominated by Telegraph readers. 2020 has been an extraordinarily difficult year for the hospitality industry and pubs need our support more than ever. Many have had to adapt or transform their business models due to the lockdown, both in order to survive and to continue to serve their communities. This year’s Telegraph Pub of the Year, The Cartford Inn in west Lancashire, was already an outstanding and characterful dining pub well before the Covid crisis, and has succeeded in finding many innovative ways to adapt to post-lockdown life. It is a worthy winner of this year's title."

Mike Bevens, Managing Director of Sawday’s, said:

“This year, more than ever, we’ve seen pubs step up as pillars of their community, so it’s an absolute pleasure to recognise the best of the best in our annual Pub Awards. Deciding on our winners was as challenging as ever, so we welcomed The Telegraph’s readers input into our Pub of the Year and have an extremely worthy list of places taking awards this year.”

The awards entry for The Cartford Inn, written by the Sawday’s team, says:

This quirky inn is full of its own delights; stylish interiors, fabulous food and helpful staff. This might explain why it was named Telegraph & Sawday’s Pub of the Year in 2020, a richly deserved award. It’s a mecca for locals, who come to eat, drink and gossip. Outside, views stretch across to the Trough of Bowland. Inside, delicious food waits and the pub now runs a takeaway service for locals, Taste of the Inn at Home.