Bricklayers Arms voted the best free house in the south-east

Alvin Michaels, owner of the Nags Head pub in Great Missenden and the Bricklayers Arms at Flaunden, was this week toasting his double triumph in the company of his son, Adam.
The Bricklayers Arms has been crowned the best free house in the south east of England by the judges of the Great British Pub Awards.

And the Nags Head has been nominated as a must visit venue by the prestigious AA guide.
Mr Michaels, and his wife, Sally, received their Great British Pub Award plaque at a dinner at the Park Lane Hilton. The evening was attended by more than 900 guests.

The panel stipulated: "The Great British Pub Award goes to businesses which are entrepreneurial, individual and vibrant, representing everything that is great about the British Pub."

The Bricklayers narrowly missed out on the ultimate prize - that of Free House of the year - but this accolade still marks the culmination of a hugely successful 12 months.

Not only was it selected to feature in the AA Pub Guide 2009 as a pick of the pubs nomination but it also appeared, for the first time, in the prestigious Michelin Guide 2008.
"We have worked incredibly hard this year to make the Bricklayers an even better dining experience and this is the icing on the cake," said Mr Michaels.