The Swan retains AA Gold Stars and Rosettes for culinary excellence

STAFF at a mid-Devon pub are celebrating this week after hearing it has retained its four AA Gold Stars and two Rosettes for culinary excellence (October 2022).

The Swan, a multi-award-winning hostelry with B&B rooms in Bampton, has retained the awards for the sixth year running.

Chef-patron Paul Berry, who co-owns the gastropub with his wife and fellow award-winning chef Donna, said: “We’re thrilled with the news that we have retained our AA Gold Stars and our Rosette award too for six years running.

“We’re so proud and would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to our dedicated and hardworking team, who we couldn’t do this without.”

AA Gold Stars are awarded to the very best properties offering excellent levels of quality throughout and outstanding levels of hospitality and service. The Rosette award assesses the quality of food served by restaurants and hotels. 

Paul added: “We do our very best to provide three comfortable B&B rooms – a double with a queen size bed, another double and a twin. All three are en-suite and have luxury toiletries, towels and linens, plus hypoallergenic pillows.

“They’re perfect for a country break – renovated and decorated by our local craftsman – all three rooms include an en-suite, WiFi, DAB radio, USB points, a TV, tea and coffee making facilities and complimentary toiletry products for a relaxing stay. Our part of Devon is one of the few locations in Britain that has a mixture of wild moorland with wooded valleys, pretty cottages, rivers, acres of farm and woodland, and nearby seascapes too and it’s the perfect place to stay.

“To receive recognition for our culinary excellence is also the cherry on the cake for us as we really pride ourselves on our food offering. We are committed to using, wherever possible, seasonal and local produce from the best local suppliers, giving us great ingredients for our diners and guests to enjoy.”

The Swan also reached number 25 in the 2022 ‘Estrella Damm’ Top 50 Gastropub Awards. Alongside its sister restaurant, Spelt, it was also featured in the 2021 Michelin Guide and was named by the AA as the nation’s ‘Inn of the Year’ in 2019.

The Swan was named Gold Tourism Pub of the Year 2018 at the South West Tourism Excellence Awards and was voted Best Dining Pub for 2018 in the Trencherman Awards.

Donna was also one of three finalists in the Devon Life and Trencherman Awards in 2018.

To find out more about The Swan, please call 01398 332248 or visit www.theswan.co.