A PUB landlord is over the moon after winning three CAMRA awards, including 'Pub of the Year', after just two years in business.

The Cuckoo Inn, in Hamptworth, was awarded best overall, best rural and best cider pub of the year by Salisbury and South Wiltshire's Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) this month.

Landlord Nik Amplianitis, 33, opened the pub on March 18, 2022, and said winning the awards is "very important" for his business.

In the pub's first year of trading it won 'Best Cider Pub of the Year' but to take home three titles this year is "incredible", Nik said.

"I don't think there's any better award that you can when when you own a pub to be honest," he added.

Nik tries to have "everything for every occasion", stocking at any one time five to seven real ales, more than 25 real ciders, 10 drinks on draught, 200 spirits and up to 40 wines. 

Salisbury Journal: Landlord Nik Amplianitis.Landlord Nik Amplianitis. (Image: Newsquest)

The pub adapts its selection of real ales with the seasons and expands during the spring and summer months, upping the number of tables from eight to 75.

Living in the pub enables Nik to be "100 per cent active" in its day-to-day running.

He said running a successful village pub can be "tricky but not difficult", adding: "You just have to be focused and know what you're doing."

Read more: ​Duke of York in Salisbury awarded CAMRA City Pub of the Year

Nik, who was born in Greece, moved to the quiet rural village of Hamptworth with his wife Sophia and two daughters, aged three and six, two years ago to escape the hustle and bustle of London.

Working three jobs at the time to sustain a good life for his family, Nik explained how he was watching his children grow up without him around and he didn’t like it.

“I found London was too fast for me. It’s all about my kids now,” he added.

Salisbury Journal: The Cuckoo Inn.

The Cuckoo Inn serves an “easy-going” menu with a focus on quality, locally sourced ingredients to “give something back to the community”.

This includes pub classics such as pies and soups during the colder months and lighter bites from burgers to Ploughman’s in summer.

Nik fires up a barbeque and opens an outdoor ‘Tiki bar’ when the pub gets busier from around May until October.

Salisbury Journal: Part of the beer garden at the Cuckoo Inn.Part of the beer garden at the Cuckoo Inn. (Image: Newsquest)

Events also run through the spring and summer with this year’s first three-day beer festival kicking off on May 17.

The second and final festival starts on September 6 and it’s not uncommon for the pub to have more than 80 different beers for customers to try.

Three ‘Pride and Joy’ meets take place too, on June 9, July 14, and August 4 during which people are invited to showcase their cars and motorcycles. Vintage classics and supercars sprawl the large outdoor lawn area of the pub.