North Yorkshire alehouse crowned the region’s 2017 Favourite Pub

The alehouse that has been crowned Yorkshire’s Favourite Pub 2017 has been named as The White Swan in Ampleforth.

Welcome to Yorkshire spearheaded the hunt for the region’s finest according to the public, with The White Swan crowned the winner.

At a rather soggy Great Yorkshire Show today, celebrity chef Brian Turner presented the award to the Ampleforth pub.

Welcome to Yorkshire said it had received a record number of votes cast for the 2017 winner, with 15 pubs nominated, up from the usual 12.

18,500 members of the public voted, with The Royal Oak in Ripon coming second and The Carpenter’s Arms in Felixkirk coming third. 700 pubs were nominated in total.

Simon Parker, owner of The White Swan said: “I’m absolutely delighted, but this award is all thanks to my staff, I’m nothing without them.

“If I had to give my top tip for a successful pub, it’s having a good team behind you.”

Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “Yorkshire pubs are world famous for their warm welcome and perfect pints and none more so than this year’s fantastic winner The White Swan, in this such a stunning part of Yorkshire.

“Competition was tougher than ever this year with a record breaking number of votes, proving just how proud everyone in Yorkshire is of all our brilliant ale houses.

“Huge congratulations to this year’s winner and a big thank you to everyone who entered, helping us shout loud and proud about all our pubs and inns who keep on raising the bar.”

The top 30 pubs will feature in Welcome to Yorkshire’s Ale Trail. Thousands of copies of which will be distributed around tourist destinations across Yorkshire.

Pictured: Simon Theakston, Brian Turner, Simon Parker, Sir Gary Verity