STAFF and directors of a Wiltshire pub group are celebrating after one of their chain of four country inns was named as The Times and The Sunday Times's 2023 'Pub of the Year'. 

The former coaching inn, the Bell & Crown at Zeals near Warminster, was recognised as the pub category winner in this year's guide.

It is owned by brother and sister Ethan and Jordan Davids, along with their business partner Tommy Tullis.

Mr Davids, 28, said: “We are absolutely thrilled. It’s just wonderful, to be honest. We only found out this morning.

“We’ve had some good write-ups this year but The Times and The Sunday Times award is a testament to everyone that works there.”

Located in the village of Zeals just off the A303, the Bell & Crown features six letting rooms and an outside dining area. 

Ethan and Jordan, 27, and Mr Tullis, 28, formed The Chickpea Group, to run their pub chain and took on the Bell & Crown in 2019.

They opened in January 2020 but the pub has been extensively renovated and refurbished and only opened its six letting rooms in April this year.

The Chickpea Group based in Salisbury also owns the Pembroke Arms in Wilton, the Grosvenor Arms in Hindon, and the Dog & Gun at Netheravon.

Mr Davids said: “We are a bunch of over-excited creative folk. I was born in the Barford Inn at Barford St Martin and my parents moved to the Pembroke Arms, which we took over in 2020.”

He attributed the award to their “very loyal” customer base, which includes regulars from the village and surrounding area.

The six letting rooms have attracted guests who book rooms for visits to Stourhead House and Gardens and other Wiltshire tourist hotspots.

The self-described 'country boozer' was named alongside 10 other special categories as well as the regional winners. 

On Tripadvisor, the Bell & Crown has an impressive 5 out of 5 rating with many guests enthusing over the accommodation and service provided.

One satisfied customer said:"Great family room. Perfect for 3 of us. With extra little touches such as fresh milk for tea and home baked cookies every day.

"Food is super with pizza menu on a Monday evening. A lovely breakfast is also included in the rate. Would thoroughly recommend the Bell & Crown."

Another guest posted with a 5.0 rating: "The Bell & Crown had only been open for accommodation for 6 weeks at the time of our stay, we enjoyed a delightful cosy comfortable bedroom.

"The food at dinner and breakfast was impeccably good, and stay very welcoming. Would highly recommend for anyone travelling through the area or visiting Stourhead House and Gardens."

The Sunday Times’ interactive guide is available from Friday and will be followed by a supplement within the newspaper this Sunday.

Split into eight regions, venues in London, South East, South West, Central, East, North, Wales and Scotland are recognised in the guide.

This year's list features winners from 11 different categories including: Bargain, Positive Impact, Sense of Place, Seaside, Pub, City, Bolthole, Spa, Romantic, Foodie and Family.

Claire Irvin, Head of Travel at The Times and The Sunday Times, said: “Best Places to Stay 2023 is a celebration of the incredible properties we have here on home soil and, most importantly, the hard-working teams that have made each one of them such a singular success.

"Our recommendations are not easily won and all 100 hotels in this year's list – particularly The Retreat at Elcot, our deserving overall winner – should be extremely proud of the guest experience they've created.”