A CUMBRIAN pub is in the finals to become the best country pub in Britain.

After receiving a record number of entrants for the 2023 Great British Pub Awards, the shortlisted finalists have been announced and includes the Black Bull Inn on Main Street in Sedbergh.

Described as the UK's greatest pub party, the glitzy awards ceremony will take place on Tuesday September 19, 2023, at Victoria Warehouse in Manchester. There are 16 pub categories in total which range from everything from Best Pub Garden to Best Pub for Dogs. 

The Black Bull Inn is an award-winning 18-bedroomed inn, restaurant and bar sitting in a unique location in one of the most beautiful parts of the Yorkshire Dales, just on the edge of the Lake District. Appearing to be small on the outside, the 17th-century coaching inn is deceptively larger on the inside.  

The property has been extended over the years and has been given a contemporary feel but is still cozy.

The Best Country/Rural Pub is sponsored by chartered surveyor Everard Cole and the Sedbergh pub will have to win out against five other competitors from all around the UK.

These include:

  • Cholmondeley Arms - Cheshire
  • The Three Hills - Bartlow, Cambridgeshire
  • The Elephant & Castle - Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire
  • The Plough - Normanton on the Wolds, Nottinghamshire
  • Fox & Hounds - Barley, Hertfordshire

A post on the pub's Facebook page showed just how delighted staff are to be nominated. It read: "Very proud to be included in this year's Great British Pub Awards.

"Thank you to all its staff & customers, it couldn’t happen without you! Can’t wait for the ceremony in Manchester in September."

Co-owner and Head Chef Nina Matsunaga was born in Dusseldorf, Germany, to Japanese parents. This clash of influences is what makes the Black Bull Inn's food so special. 

Nina is married to partner James Ratcliffe who grew up in the village of Ireby in the Lune Valley. He has worked for several renowned Manchester-based chefs including Robert Own Brown and John Quilter.

The pair met in 2010 and things have moved from strength to strength since they established their own street food business, The Moocher, in 2012.