A Hertfordshire pub has expressed its pride after being named among the UK’s top five country pubs for the second year running.

The Elephant and Castle off Amwell Lane, near Wheathampstead, was in the running for the category in the Great British Pub Awards 2023, with the winners announced yesterday evening (September 20).

It was also put up for the ‘best pub garden’ award.

Watford Observer:

Managing director Nick Farr told the Watford Observer: “Well, we didn’t win. But we are the only pub ever to be in the running two years in a row and can certainly be happy that we are considered the best rural location in Herts – if not quite yet Britain.

“But top five for two years in a row isn’t too bad we reckon.”

The best country pub award went to The Cholmondeley Arms in Cheshire, while 'best pub garden' went to the Gaggle of Geese in Buckland Newton, Dorchester.

The pub is a 25-minute drive from Abbots Langley and just over half an hour from Watford.

Watford Observer: The Elephant and Castle pub.The Elephant and Castle pub. (Image: The Elephant and Castle pub.)

As well as a stunning garden, the boozer boasts “fantastic Farr Brew ales, huge wine lists, and lovely food all locally sourced”.

Referring to the awards, Mr Farr previously said: “These are the Oscars for the hospitality trade and we are honoured and humbled by the whole thing.”

Watford Observer: The Elephant and Castle pub.The Elephant and Castle pub. (Image: The Elephant and Castle pub.)