The Pub That Made History
The Hand & Flowers was opened in 2005 by Tom Kerridge and his wife Beth, who bought a run-down pub on West Street in Marlow. It earned its first Michelin star within its first year. In 2012, it was awarded a second star, making it the first pub in history to hold two Michelin stars, a distinction it retains to this day. In 2025, Tom and Beth celebrated the pub’s 20th anniversary.
The pub has served as the training ground for many chefs who have gone on to stellar careers, most notably Nick Beardshaw, now of Starling in Esher.
Two Stars, Still a Pub
Kerridge’s genius lies in his refusal to choose between accessibility and excellence. This is a restaurant that holds two Michelin stars yet still feels, unmistakably, like a pub. The bar serves real ale, the floors are flagstone, and the atmosphere is warm. But every dish reveals a level of technique and depth of flavour that rivals the finest restaurants in the country.
His signature dishes, slow-cooked duck breast with duck-fat chips, salt-baked pineapple, have become iconic. The current head chef is Sarah Hayward, who worked for Kerridge for nine years.
More Than a Meal
The House Menu (around £195pp) and the Shed Tasting Menu (around £295pp in the private dining room) offer refined interpretations of British classics, while the set lunch from £25 for two courses means Michelin-starred dining is within reach. Beautifully appointed bedrooms scattered around Marlow turn a meal into an overnight experience.
