Chef Josh Eggleton is to reopen the Pony and Trap in Chew Magna – one of the foundation stones of Bristol gastronomic scene – in a new guise and a new name in the spring, as a wedding venue, cookery school and restaurant to be known as the Pony Chew Valley. The gastropub has been closed since the pandemic struck in March last year.    

Eggleton opened the Pony and Trap in 2006, with his sister Holly running the front of house. He followed up by opening a string of venues in and round Bristol, including the Kensington Arms, Root, the Queens in Chew Magna, two Salt & Malt fish-and-chippies, most recently, Pony Bistro in Bedminster. 

He is also co-founder of the Eat Drink Bristol Fashion festival. Yurt Lush, his “temporary” restaurant in three linked Mongolian yurts near Temple Meads station, closed down in June after eight years.

The garden and orchard planted around the Pony now supplies many of the vegetables, fruits and herbs used in kitchens across the business.