Publican Awards 2024 Best New Site winner, sponsored by Heineken UK: The Journeyman, Gerrards Cross – Oakman Group

The site, which opened last summer, trades from 9am every day, serving breakfast until 11am, brunch and lunch until 5pm before dinner service begins with of course, roasts available on Sundays.

It takes its name from the Jethro Tull song of the same name that includes the line ‘No time for tea at Gerrards Cross’.

Formerly the Gordon White showroom and garage, the art-deco inspired building was a familiar landmark from the mid-20^th​ century when White established his Austin dealership.

He and his company played a part in British motorsport and the Journeyman showcases many small references to the distinctive design and energy of those amateur drivers combined with the relaxed charm of the Mediterranean.

Site history

The former mechanics’ workshop is now a spectacular dining room, under a high-pitched ceiling while the anterior showroom at the front of the premises is now home to a 1950s style bar.

Outside, a heated outdoor terrace is partially covered by a reproduction of Gordon White’s original canopy.

The redeveloped venue received a multi-million-pound investment from Oakman to turn it into what it is today – a welcoming place for the local community and those further afield.

Its open theatre-style kitchen crafts a Mediterranean-inspired menu with warming brunch dishes, Neapolitan wood-fired pizza, traditional home comforts and more.

Company ethos

Accompanying the food is a wide-ranging drinks offer including classic cocktails, an extensive wine list alongside local ales and chilled draught lagers.

The business overall has a strong sustainability ethos and this is evident at the Journeyman with free coffee compost available as well as Oakman’s partnership with TreeNation where trees are planted when coffee is sold.

There are also a variety of events hosted at the Journeyman including live music, steak night and quizzes alongside the seasonal events such as wreath making and Santa visits.