Josh and Holly Eggleton add Somerset pub to portfolio

Josh and Holly Eggleton have opened the Pelican pub in Chew Magna, North Somerset.

The siblings have joined forces with school friends and fellow publicans Lottie and Josh Bryant to relaunch the venue. 

They opened the ground floor pub last week and have plans to unveil 10 bedrooms in spring/summer 2025.

The Pelican’s opening menu is a selection of carefully curated bar snacks, such as pickle pots and crisps made at The Pony using produce from its market garden. 

There will also be tinned fish and snacks from Somerset Charcuterie, such as fennel salami and blue cheese and cider pokers.

Local pizza truck Soul Dough will visit the pub on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

The Pelican will be an extension of the Eggletons’ restaurant, event venue and cookery school The Pony in Chew Valley.

The rooms and guest experience will be overseen by Holly, providing accommodation for guests at both venues, served by bicycles and a shuttle service.

Josh and Holly said: “We have always wanted to have accommodation as part of The Pony family, it’s been an aspiration of ours for years and we’ve kept a lookout for the right location.

“We used to go to The Pelican as kids and have fond memories of it, so it’s a natural extension for us to give it a new lease of life while growing The Pony experience beyond the restaurant.”

Siblings Lottie and Josh added: “Having run a pub in the valley for the past five years, we’re excited to be teaming up with old friends to bring something new to Chew Magna.

“We share Josh and Holly’s love for hospitality and for the Chew Valley area, so teaming up on this project has been the most rewarding experience and we can’t wait to welcome people through the doors.”

The Eggletons also operate fish and chip restaurant Salt & Malt in Chew Valley, Bristol venues the Kensington Arms and vegetable-led restaurant Root.

Last month the siblings also announced they were building an interactive ’farm bus’, complete with live chickens and hydroponics, that will tour the UK to drive understanding of how food is grown.