A PUB near Taunton has been named the best in the South West at the Countryside Alliance Awards.

The York Inn in Churchinford recently won the award for 2024.

The pub also won the Somerset County Gazette Pub of the Year award last year.

A message from the team read: “As a business, we are obviously delighted to win this award.

“On a personal level, it's the best feeling because it’s a reflection of how hard work and being part of something really goes a long way.

“Having won the County Gazette Pub of the Year not so long ago this is the icing on the cake.

“This only makes us more determined to continue to support our community and use the pub as a platform to assist other communities organisations and clubs that help people who are isolated vulnerable or just lonely.

“Thanks to everyone for your tremendous support.”

Countryside Alliance has announced its winners and runners-up in the ‘Rural Oscars’ awards, where several businesses in the South West of England were crowned champions.

The Countryside Alliance Awards – now in their 17th year – recognise rural businesses across five categories, including ‘best local food’, ‘best butcher’, ‘best pub’, ‘best rural enterprise’, and ‘best village shop/ post office’.

These businesses go the extra mile within their communities, supporting the local economy and championing local goods and services.

Thousands of nominations from around the country were whittled down via a public vote, with the final few advancing to the finals.

The winner of each category will go on to represent the North in the national champions reception at the House of Lords in June, competing against other finalists from around England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Winners of the 2024 Countryside Alliance South West Awards

  • Local Food: Blackberry Farm Shop, Devon
  • Rural Enterprise: Wessex Internet, Dorset
  • Village Shop and Post Office: Child Okeford Village Shop, Dorset
  • Butcher: Veysey's of Cullompton, Devon
  • Pub: The York Inn, Somerset

Highly commended awards

  • Local Food: Coldharbour Farm Shop and Field Kitchen, Devon
  • Rural Enterprise: West Country Blacksmithing LTD, Somerset
  • Village Shop and Post Office: Hawtree & Sons Riverside Garage, Dorset
  • Butcher: Exe Valley Farm Shop, Devon
  • Pub: The White Horse, Somerset

Sarah Lee, Countryside Alliance director of policy, said: "We are proud to be honouring these exceptional rural businesses in the South West, and the people behind them who are passionate about providing quality goods, services, and employment to rural communities and beyond.

“Running a business in a rural community isn’t easy, and it’s so important to celebrate the valued role these rural enterprises have in their communities.

“We look forward to seeing them in London at the national champions reception.”