THE best pubs in Britain have been revealed, with four finalists now competing for the top spot.
Every year the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) assembles a list of less than 20 local pubs from around the UK for a shortlist in its Pub of the Year competition.
This is the highest achievement a pub can receive and is especially important at a time when many pubs are being forced to shut up shop due to high energy prices and other costs.
All pubs are scored on their atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, inclusivity, overall impression and the quality of drinks including beer, real cider and perry.
This year there are 17 pubs which have been hand-picked from thousands across the nation.
These include both local pubs and former high street shops.
The shortlist has now been whittled down to just four competitors, of which the overall winner will be crowned in January 2025.
Last year’s winner was the Tamworth Tap in Staffordshire, which bagged the top spot in both 2023 and 2022.
Among the top four finalists is the Black Horse in Preston.
This Victorian Grade II listed pub still has many of the original fittings from when it was built, including a ceramic bar, tiled walls and mosaic floor.
A seating area has been dubbed the “Hall of Mirrors” due to its breathtaking original stained glass.
Its ten handpumps include four changing guest beers and a range of ciders.
Despite its name it’s not a dark horse in the contest and has already bagged the titles of Central Lancashire Branch Pub of the Year and Lancashire Branches Pub of the Year.
This micropub in Bridlington is run by a husband and wife duo who are passionate about beer and cider.
Its name encapsulates the pub’s ethos and stands for “banter”, “beer” and “bar snacks”.
The Three B’s aims to never sell the same beer twice, which ensures there’s always an exciting range of ever changing drinks at the bar.
Meanwhile, its customer service is unmatched and staff are keen to chat about the drinks they serve and the local area.
There’s something for everyone at the Little Green Dragon in Winchmore Hill.
The micropub boasts an ever changing selection of four cask beers which are sourced from local and independent breweries.
Plus there’s a fantastic selection of real cider, perry and four keg beers.
While they drink, pubgoers can also enjoy a traditional game of table skittles or shove ha’penny.
The pub has already secured several titles including CAMRA’s Great London Pub of the Year.
Close to the Welsh borders in the delightful market town of Oswestry is the Bailey Head.
The pub has one of the largest beer selections in all of Shropshire and claims to have sold more than 3,400 different beers since it flung open its doors in March 2016.
There are six constantly changing cask beers and always includes one dark beer, plus eleven other draught beers, four ciders and a perry.
National Pub of the Year Coordinator Andrea Briers said: “These fantastic four are the epitome of what a good pub should be.
“I am excited to find out which one will be crowned the best pub in the UK.”
Thirteen other remarkable pubs were beaten to the top spot this year.
They include:
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