Glastonbury may be known for hosting the biggest festival in the world, but there’s now something else putting the Somerset town on the map – the local chippy.
Nestled between a shop selling crystals and a tattoo parlour is Knights Fish Restaurant, which has just been crowned Britain’s best Fish Restaurant 2024.
Visitors can either order a takeaway or grab a seat and enjoy their meal in front of the gorgeous log burner, reports the Mirror.
Diners Tom, 64, and Jenny, 87, a mother and son visited for their weekly post-supermarket shop treat. Jenny said: “I’ve been to lots of chip shops over the years but what’s special about Knights is the great food and lovely atmosphere.”
“The batter’s very light and you know you’re always going to get a good meal. Sometimes you go into fish shops and they’re not always very nice chips if it’s at the beginning or end or a run, but here they’re always up to par.”
Jack Isaacs, 28, who lives in Somerton but is working in Glastonbury popped in on his lunch break. He’s been a regular customer for more than 10 years and looks forward to working in Glastonbury as “it’s the best fish and chip shop around”.
He said: “All my customers recommend it. They deserved to win the award 100 percent.”
“It’s the flavour and the chips are really light”.
Since news of the award has spread, owners Kevin and Charlotte Mitchell have been busier than ever. On a Saturday staff can dish up to 500 portions of fish and chips in a single day.
And thanks to Head Fryer George Morey – Charlotte’s son – the batter is succulent, not at all greasy and the chips are light and fluffy too.
It’s not just locals who are a fan of a fish and chip supper – they have some pretty famous customers who pop in from time to time.
George said: “We regularly get Michael and Emily Eavis in. We’ve also had Dom Joly, the comedian off Trigger Happy TV.
“Many years ago Nicolas Cage came in and my sister served him and had a photo taken with him. I think he ordered about six pickled eggs and six pickled onions and a few gherkins as well so he’s a big fan of his pickles obviously.”
Family is extremely important to the Knights, and there are currently seven of them working within the business. Charlotte worked here as a teenager in the 1970s and was even born in the building.
She said: “Most of the family have come through the doors and worked here at some point.
“About seven of our family work here at the moment and then there’s five members of another family who aren’t related to us. Lily, my granddaughter who is 15 is sixth generation and the oldest member of staff has to be Kevin, my husband who is 64.”
While cod and chips is their most popular dish, younger customers are opting for battered sausage, chips, curry sauce and cheese.
When it was established as a family business back in 1909 it used to be famous for its faggots, with customers queuing round the block with their china dishes.
In 2010, Kevin and Charlotte took over bringing with them more family members to help carry on the family tradition.
They’ve been chipping away at entering awards over the last few years but couldn’t believe it when they came first place in the Fish Restaurant category of the Best Fish and Chip Shop awards.
George set up a livestream of the awards ceremony so staff could watch and said their reaction was explosive.
Kevin said: “It was a bit like Yeovil going to the FA cup Final – we didn’t expect to win.”
“We’re fish and chip fryers, not qualified chefs. When they shouted out our name, Charlotte almost fell off her chair.”
