The Three Horseshoes has been named the winner of the Pub of the Year award, sponsored by Everard Cole, at the East of England Tourism Awards 2023-2024.

The award recognises pubs that make a significant contribution to tourism in their area, with a food and drink offering that includes quality locally sourced produce. 

Since being purchased by the current owners in December 2020, The Three Horseshoes has gone from strength to strength, despite opening during a global pandemic.

The Grade II listed restaurant and country pub, which is located in Fordham, Essex, opened during the third lockdown in January 2021, offering a takeaway service that impressively saw over 90 covers in one service.

A coffee shop opened later the same month, and due to its continued popularity, the owners renovated and rebranded it into The Coffee Shed in April 2023.

After lockdown, the garden and pub/restaurant officially opened in April and May 2021, and now boasts a huge following from the local community as well as visitors to the area.

The pub attracts a wide variety of people, from couples, groups of friends, corporates and families.

The Three Horseshoes has also recently received two AA Rosettes and a place in the Michelin Guide.

The judges described the food as “impressive”, saying their starters “could easily have jumped out from a fine dining magazine, such was the beauty of the presentation”.

They added that the service was, “second to none with staff delighting in engaging with customers” and described The Three Horseshoes as “an establishment that enjoyed entertaining all who entered”.

Commenting on the award, Moira Edwards, owner of The Three Horseshoes, said: “We’re just so delighted – almost lost for words. It’s an extended family, and it’s just brilliant 
for all of the staff and the customers as well, as they were rooting for us.”

Asked what advice she would have for anyone thinking about entering the awards next year, Mrs Edwards added: “Go for it! Just fight for what you believe in, think about the service, food and future guests enjoying what you do.” 

The other finalists in this category were The Angel at Watlington and The Lion.

The winners of the East of England Tourism Awards 2023-2024 were announced at Snape Maltings, Suffolk on Thursday, February 15. To find out about all of the winners, click here.

For more information about the awards, please visit tourismawards.co.uk

About the sponsor

Everard Cole is a commercial property consultancy specialising in the licensed, leisure and hotel sector.

It provides professional advice in all areas of commercial property, including acquisition, disposal, valuation and professional work.

It has a unique insight into the licensed leisure and development sector gained from many years in general practice working for leased and managed pub operators, the private market, hotels, restaurants, as well as a wide spectrum of leisure operators.

Everard Cole operates nationwide but has an expert knowledge and a detailed understanding of local markets throughout East Anglia.