The Penny Bun Near Ilkley Awarded AA Inn of the Year for England 2026

The Penny Bun, a gastro pub located near Ilkley, has recently been awarded the prestigious title of AA Inn of the Year for England at the AA Bed & Breakfast Awards 2026. This accolade highlights the establishment's commitment to quality and exceptional hospitality, and it sets the stage for further recognition as The Penny Bun prepares to compete for the national title at an awards ceremony in London scheduled for September 2026.

About The Penny Bun

The Penny Bun is not just a pub; it’s part of the innovative Denton Reserve, which is a 2,500-acre nature regeneration project. The inn features five modern, screen-free bedrooms designed to provide a relaxing getaway. The decor reflects the beautiful green hues of the nearby moorland, creating a serene atmosphere. Guests can enjoy various inviting dining spaces, which include roaring fires and picture windows that offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape. There are also generous outdoor terraces for al fresco dining, all furnished by local artisans who focus on sustainability.

Celebrating Local Cuisine

Under the guidance of head chef Tim Kitchen, The Penny Bun prides itself on serving dishes made from fresh, local ingredients. The restaurant's philosophy revolves around a ‘field to fork’ approach, meaning that the food served is sourced as close to the kitchen as possible. In fact, there are plans to source all ingredients from the farms and historic walled garden at Denton Reserve, which has been revived for the first time in over 60 years.

Guests can expect to enjoy a variety of seasonal dishes, including:

• Slow-Braised Denton Beef: This dish features beef raised on the estate, served with confit leek mash, beef fat parsnips, buttered sprouts, and a rich beef sauce.

• Hand-made ricotta gnocchi with confit datterino tomatoes, Yorkshire asparagus, wild garlic, and Yorkshire Pecorino sauce.

A Commitment to Sustainability

The Penny Bun's success is closely tied to the environmental efforts of Denton Reserve. Since launching a significant landscape recovery program in 2026, the reserve has focused on enhancing biodiversity, capturing carbon, and improving soil health. Some of the notable environmental milestones achieved include:

• Planting 40,000 new trees, along with thousands of native plants and plugs of sphagnum moss to help sequester carbon.

• Reviving a historic walled garden to grow seasonal produce.

• Transitioning to a diversified agroforestry model, integrating trees with crops and pastureland.

• Introducing rare breed Tamworth pigs and White Park cows to graze naturally, contributing to local habitat restoration while providing high-quality meat for the pub.

Luxury Accommodation and Experiences

Beyond its dining offerings, The Penny Bun provides luxurious accommodation for guests. Rooms are available starting from £250 per night on a bed and breakfast basis, making it an attractive option for both locals and visitors. The estate itself offers a range of amenities, including:

• Access to two lakes for wild swimming.

• Mirrored saunas for contrast therapy.

• Dedicated dark-sky areas that cater to noctourism, allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty of the night sky.

Harriet Hughes-Payne, Director of Operations at Denton Reserve, expressed her delight at receiving the AA Inn of the Year award:

“We are thoroughly delighted to receive this Award at such an early stage of our evolution and praise goes to the wonderful team behind The Penny Bun who go above and beyond to serve high quality food and provide exceptional Yorkshire hospitality. Our philosophy of turning ‘food miles into metres’ is proving that local produce and sustainable design really does make for an unbeatable match: we can’t wait to continue our hospitality journey.”

The recognition as AA Inn of the Year is a significant milestone for The Penny Bun and a testament to its commitment to quality, sustainability, and the local community. As it prepares to compete for the national title, it continues to attract attention for its innovative approach to dining and hospitality in Yorkshire.