‘Rural Oscars’ names Crown Inn Best Rural Pub in the South East

Pub owners Penny and James Middleton Burn won for their community-focused approach and use of local produce in their meals, described as ‘field to fork’.

Game from local estates, and eggs and seasonal vegetables from surrounding farms are showcased in the pub food.

Community events

The pub organises events to help bring the local community together, putting on monthly curry nights, charity quiz night, with proceeds going to charity Carriage Driving for The Disabled, and a monthly vintage car day.

Customers were able to lend their support for the pub as they were asked to send their comments to judges as part of the awards process.

Commenting on the win Penny Middleton Burn said: “Having lived in Dial Post for most of my life this feels like a very special achievement that I share with all our customers who are part of the Crown family. We are all about country life, local people, local produce and loyal customers from all walks of life.”

New category

The Middleton Burns collected their award at a ceremony in the House of Lords last week in front of their local MP Jeremy Quin.

Quin said: “It was a pleasure to see the team from the Crown up at Westminster and I am delighted they won the well-deserved award for the Best Rural Pub in the South East. Good pubs are at the heart of their communities and I congratulate the Crown on its achievement.”

The pub category was a new addition to this year’s Countryside Alliance Awards, which are in their 13th year. It was added to recognise and celebrate the iconic rural local, alongside other categories including Best Local Food and Drink, Best Village Shop/Post Office, Best Butcher and Best Rural Enterprise.

More than 11,000 businesses were nominated across the different categories that recognised skills, produce, tradition, enterprise and people at the heart of their communities.