DULVERTON’S award-winning Woods Bar and Restaurant has notched up a double hat-trick of successive national honours from the prestigious Good Pub Guide.

Woods has been named as the national Wine Pub of the Year for the sixth year running.

And it is the ninth time owner and licensee Paddy Groves has picked up the accolade.

Paddy opened Woods more than a decade ago and has built up an enviable reputation for his 400-plus cellar of wines and his willingness to open a bottle to give someone a single glass from it.

He said: “The thing I like about these awards more than anything is that in this day and age it is easy to lavish criticism or praise and sometimes people can do that very inaccurately through social media.

“The Good Pub Guide is run a very traditional way and that’s what I like about it.”

The winners of the prestigious awards are chosen by members of the guide’s editorial team who pay anonymous visits to establishments up and down the country.

Only the best are shortlisted with the very best of the best receiving awards for their “consistent excellence”.

“I’m pretty sure winning the award six times in succession hasn’t been done before so it’s a pretty good feeling; it’s something you strive for,” said Paddy.

Photo: Paul Scullion