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Central Southern
Royal Oak Inn, Wantage, Oxon, OX12 8DF
Tel. 01235 763129, www.royaloakwantage.co.uk
'Photographs of ships bearing the pub's name adorn the walls in this street-corner pub. The lounge bar features a wrought-iron trelliswork, larglely hidden by over 300 pump clips. The smaller public bar attracts a younger crowd. A mecca for the discerning drinker, the pub is a primary outlet for Pitstop and West Berks ales in the area- two beers carry the landlord's name.' |
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East Anglia
Wheatsheaf, Writtle, Essex, CM1 3DU
Tel. 01245 420695, www.wheatsheafph-writtle.co.uk
'Traditional village pub with a small public bar, an equally small lounge and a small roadside patio covered for smokers. Winner of CAMRA Branch Pub of the Year 2009, it serves a guest seventh beer on gravity from the wide Gray's list.' |
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East Midlands
Old Oak Inn, Horsley Woodhouse, Derbyshire, DE7 6AW
Tel. 01332 881299
'Once a farmhouse, the Old Oak was under threat of demolition when, in 2003, it was acquired and renovated by the Denby-based Leadmill Brewery. Four rooms of individual character, two with real fires and low beams, provide a homely atmosphere for regulars and visitors alike.' |
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Greater London
Bricklayer's Arms, Putney, SW15 1DD
Tel. 020 8789 0222, www.bricklayers-arms.co.uk
'Dating from 1826 and rescued from closure in 2005, this delightful free house was voted local CAMRA Pub of the Year in 2006 and 2008 and the Greater London winner in 2007. Besides the full Taylor range, it serves a Sambrook's beer, guests from other micro-breweries and Weston's cider, and holds regular beer festivals.' |
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Greater Manchester
Crown Hotel, Worthington, Gtr Manchester, WN1 2XF
Tel. 0800 068 6678, www.thecrownatworthington.co.uk
'Local CAMRA Pub of the Year 2006 and 2008, this country inn offers eight cask beers and two scrumpy ciders, and acts as the brewery tap for Prospect beers. High quality home-cooked food is served in the bar and conservatory restaurant, while a large decked sun terrace at the rear has patio heaters for cooler evenings. Mini beer festivals are held about four times a year.' |
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Kent
Bull, Horton Kirby, Kent, DA4 9DF
Tel. 01322 862274, www.thebullpub.co.uk
'Comfortable and friendly one-bar village pub with a large landscaped garden affording views across Darent Valley. The range of beers includes one on gravity stillage and eight on handpump, often from Dark Star, Oakham or local micro-breweries, plus a micro-brewery showcase on the first Thursday to Sunday of the month.' |
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Merseyside, Cheshire & N Wales
Golden Lion Inn, Llangynhafal, LL16 4LN
Tel. 01824 790451, www.thegoldenlioninn.com
'Situated in a hamlet at a pleasant rural crossroads, this pub has been successful in recent branch and regional Pub of the Year activities. The licensee has organised an innovative inter-pub beer festival along the local 76 bus route, and the pub hosts regular music evenings and whisky-tasting events.' |
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North East
Boathouse Inn, Wylam, Northumberland, NE41 8HR
Tel. 01661 853431
'Superb, well-managed, two-room real ale emporium with 14 handpulls, two dedicated to cider all year round. Beers are sourced nationwide and every bank holiday there is a themed beer festival.' |
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Scotland & N Ireland
Albert Tavern, Freuchie, Fife, KY15 7EX
Tel. 07765 169342
'Family-friendly village local, reputedly a coaching inn when nearby Falkland Place was a royal residence. An old photograph shows the property as a tavern some time in the 19th century. Scottish CAMRA Pub of the Year 2002 and runner up in 2008. National Pub of the Year runner up in 2002.' |
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South & Mid-Wales
Severn Arms, Penybont, LD1 5UA
Tel. 01597 851224, www.severn-arms.co.uk
'This 18th-century coaching inn was built to serve the route between Hereford and Aberystwyth. The spacious bar with its large open fireplace leads to gardens overlooking the River Ithon. Guest beers are sourced from a wide range of breweries and there is an above average selection of malt whiskies on offer.' |
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South West
Old Spot, Dursley, Gloucestershire, GL11 4JQ
Tel. 01453 542870, www.oldspotinn.co.uk
'This Cotswold Way free house dates from 1776. It was named after the Gloucestershire Old Spot Pig and a porcine theme blends with the extensive brewery memorabilia. Low ceilings and log fires provide a cosy atmosphere and friendly staff offer a warm welcome. Wholesome, freshly prepared dishes complement the pub's enthusiasm for real ale and cider. CAMRA National Pub of the Year 2007.' |
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Surrey and Sussex
Royal Oak, Friday Street, West Sussex, RH12 4QA
Tel. 01293 871393
'A lovely, isolated, low-beamed, narrow free house that is well worth finding, with seven handpumps for real ale, three for cider and two for perry. Ales are usually from local micro-breweries and are constantly changing. CAMRA National Pub of the Year Runner-Up in 2009. This is a real gem.' |
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Wessex & Channel Isles
Prince of Wales, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 8AL
Tel. 01252 545578
'Popular free house, unsurpassed for choice and quality in the area. A single bar is flanked by separate drinking areas, with tables under cover outside at the rear. Dark Star Hophead is now a permanent fixture among the five regular beers. Up to five guest beers are also served from mainly local breweries.' |
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West Midlands
Cock Hotel, Wellington, Shropshire, TF1 2DL
Tel. 01952 244954, www.cockhotel.co.uk
'Local CAMRA Pub of the Year 2009, this imposing 18th-century coaching inn has enjoyed 13 years in the Guide. Lively conversation is the norm in the hop-festooned main bar where eight handpulls dispense changing ales and Black Rat cider.' |
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West Pennines
Taps, Lytham, Lancashire, FY8 5LE
Tel. 01253 736226, www.thetaps.net
'Winner of many awards, including several Pub of the Year prizes, this cosy one-roomed local is always popular. The Taps gives enthusiastic support to the local lifeboat station as well as the rugby team, and proudly displays memorabilia of both. Landlord Ian Rigg is a member of SIBA and his own brews occasionally feature among the six regularly changing guest beers, including the only cask mild in town, and a regularly changing real cider.' |
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Yorkshire
Kelham Island Tavern, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S3 8RW
Tel. 0114 272 2482, www.kelhamislandtavern.co.uk
'Selected as CAMRA's National Pub of the Year in 2008 after previously picking up many local and regional awards, this small gem was rescued from dereliction as recently as 2002. An impressive 10 permanent handpumps include two that always dispense a mild and a stout/porter, so you are sure to find something to suit your mood. In the warmer months you can relax in the pub's multi-award winning beer garden.' |