A seaside restaurant in Kent has been named the UK's best gastropub.

The Sportsman in Seasalter, near Whitstable, bagged the top spot of global travel site Big 7 Travel's annual list of The 50 Best Gastropubs In The UK.

Another Kent restaurant, The Fordwich Arms, in Fordwich near Canterbury, also clinched a top ten spot.

The list, which is now in its second year, was determined from a combined score of readers' suggestions throughout the year, online user reviews and Big 7 Travel's editorial team.

Michelin-starred The Sportsman in Faversham Road is run by brothers Philip and Stephen Harris. The latter is also the restaurant's self-taught head chef.

It specialises in "serving good food in relaxed and informal surroundings".

Having held a Michelin star since 2008, it has become a popular haunt for celebrities visiting Kent - including football star Gary Lineker.

Big 7 Travel said: "The Sportsman is a superb gastropub that shines a light on local ingredients – some coming from its own garden – with an innovative menu.

"To really see what they’re all about here, pre-order the tasting menu.

"It is a menu of small dishes that includes recipes from the past almost two decades along with new ideas.

"Highlights include the slip sole grilled in seaweed butter, which best showcases the raw skill here."

The Fordwich Arms, also a Michelin-starred eatery and run by Dan and Natasha Smith, bagged ninth place in the list.

Big 7 Travel said: "One of the prettiest pubs you are ever likely to set eyes on, both on the outside and as soon as you step inside.

"Boasting a lovely 1930s bar and oak panelled dining room with three open fires, you will literally sink into their chairs and feel yourself relaxing instantly.

"Their precise cooking features some brilliantly inventive dishes, such as hand dived Orkney scallops, garden pea & picked walnuts."

The Sportsman also scooped the top spot in the Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards annual list of the top 100 restaurants in 2019 - and the Fordwich Arms was named number 30.

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