Why an old inn near Beverley is UK’s pub of the year

The Pipe and Glass Inn in South Dalton near Beverley has been voted pub of the year in the Michelin Eating Out in Pubs Guide 2012.

The inn stands on the site of the original gatehouse to Dalton park. Current operators James and Kate Mackenzie took over what was a shell in 2006 and have transformed the pub.

The guide’s editor, Rebecca Burr, said: “This award is given to a pub which we feel offers something extra special. Here it is a combination of factors which include the warmth of the welcome, the friendliness of the staff, the character of the place and, of course, the food.

“The Pipe and Glass Inn is a wonderfully warm pub and nothing is ever too much trouble for the owners.”

This year’s guide recommends more than 530 pubs, spread across all parts of the country and selected for the quality of their food. Among these pubs are 86 new entries for 2012.

Ms Burr said: “We can all feel justly proud of our pubs and the way they have adapted to changing times. The pubs in our guide offer great food, often at competitive prices, and our inspectors keep discovering more and more of them.

“These pubs make terrific use of local produce and often champion regional specialities - some have taken to keeping their own livestock out the back and even the lowly bar snack has been getting a makeover.