A Marlow pub has been named one of the best gastropubs in the UK.

The Coach, owned by celebrity chef Tom Kerridge, narrowly missed out on the top spot in the Estrella Damm top 50 gastropubs list, coming in second place.

The Michelin-starred pub, in West Street, has been described by judges as a “force to be reckoned with”, branding The Coach’s chef-patron Nick Beardshaw “the real superstar”.

Mr Beardshaw was Kerridge’s number two at the Hand & Flowers, also in Marlow, before moving to spearhead The Coach’s opening.

He said for him, the starting point of any dish is “what it tastes like, so it’s all about deliciousness”, adding: “The style is always something that people can relate to and get enjoyment from and we won’t deviate too much from that in terms of modernising.”

Though the head chef has full reign over the menu design, he is aware any dishes that come from the kitchen must not deviate from Mr Kerridge’s style.

The Coach offers a range of small, tapas-style dishes and is often packed out with Marlovians enjoying a pint or watching sports thanks to Mr Kerridge’s no-reservation policy.

Judges said: “In spirit, The Coach is well and truly a local pub.”

The pub was awarded a Bib Gourmand for exceptional cuisine at an affordable price by the Michelin Guide last year.

Mr Kerridge's other Marlow pub, two Michelin-starred The Hand and Flowers, was number 14 on the list.

The “Estrella Damm” Top 50 Gastropub Awards are voted for by gastropub owners – who cannot vote for their own establishments – food writers, pub company catering development managers and executive chefs, celebrity and top hospitality industry chefs, pub guide editors and industry chiefs.