Sanctum on the Green, Berkshire

For the full list of new properties head over to our new listings page, but in the meantime here are just a couple of the new inns to wet your appetite!

The Kings Arms Hotel, Amersham - A lovely 14th century coaching inn, albeit recently restored! The Kings Arms Hotel was featured in the film Four Weddings and a Funeral, and is perfect for a romantic getaway. The rooms blend old world charm and modern comfort and feature luxurious king size beds, LCD digital TV's and high speed internet . The recently reopened dining room is perfect for a relaxing dinner next to an open fire.

Sanctum on the Green, Cookham Dean - A beautiful and glamorous country retreated featuring 9 bedrooms, a heated swimming pool, hot tub and stunning pavillion. On top of this, they have recently announced the arrival of the celebrity chef John Burton-Race so you can expect good food as well!

The Black Swan at Oldstead is the only restaurant in Yorkshire to be awarded Three AA Rosettes in the AA restaurant awards published today. It is now unique in Yorkshire as the only pub with Three AA Rosettes.

Andrew Ford, Senior Food Inspector, with The AA says of The Black Swan:

“Chef Adam Jackson and his team are firing on all cylinders. The menu contains lots of local produce giving it a genuine sense of place. The level of ambition is high, the dishes showing both an eye for creativity and a sound grasp of classical technique.”

Well done to the Black Swan!

AA Hotel Services Manager, Simon Numphud said:

"AA Rosettes are awarded in recognition of high-quality cooking and it is wonderful to see chefs throughout the UK continue to challenge themselves and hone their skills, with the teams at restaurants such as The Black Swan having worked justifiably hard to make the transition from two to three Rosettes.”

The AA definition for Three Rosettes is:

'Outstanding restaurants that achieve standards demanding recognition well beyond their local area. The cooking is underpinned by the selection and sympathetic treatment of the highest quality ingredients. Timing, seasoning and the judgement of flavour combinations will be consistently excellent.'

With Three Rosettes to go alongside the Five Star Highly Commended rating for accommodation, The Black Swan at Oldstead is the only restaurant with rooms in Yorkshire to have received recognition at this level from the AA.

The Black Swan at Oldstead

Oldstead, York YO61 4BJ

Tel: 01347 868387

Email: enquiries@blackswanoldstead.co.uk

Web: www.blackswanoldstead.co.uk

Background Notes

The Black Swan at Oldstead is a highly acclaimed pub and restaurant set in a stunning rural location near Byland Abbey in The North York Moors National Park. It is owned and run by The Banks Family from Oldstead Grange who have lived and farmed at Oldstead for generations. Tom and Anne Banks bought the Black Swan in 2006 to save it from dereliction and to provide a living for their two sons, James and Tommy. All four members of the family are totally involved in the business. James manages the front of house and Tommy works as a chef in the kitchen. Tom and Anne manage the business, in between running the farm at Oldstead Grange and can often be found behind the bar or in the restaurant.

Adam Jackson heads a team of talented and enthusiastic chefs in the kitchen.

Awarded One AA Rosette in 2008 and Two AA Rosettes in April 2009, and now with Three AA Rosettes, the once humble Black Swan is now rated as one of the best restaurants in Yorkshire.

The Publican has teamed up with leading website English Country Inns to launch a reader offer to help pubs and inns boost their trade.

Readers are being given the chance to advertise on the website free for six months.

The offer is open to the first 100 respondents that fit the criteria – to be eligible pubs must be “traditional, historic hotels and inns of character providing en-suite accommodation”.

A spokesman for English Country Inns said: “We’re really excited to be teaming up with The Publican to offer this great deal.

"Since 1998 we’ve been listing the very best inns and country hotels in the country, from traditional Cotswold inns to historic hotels in York, and now we’re looking for even more establishments to join our listings. Even though this is a completely no obligation trial, we’re confident that you’ll want to stay on and advertise with us far beyond the six months."

To find out more visit www.english-inns.co.uk/publican-promo

Oh, and happy new year to all of our blog readers!

The English Country Inns office