CAMRA Pub of the Year 2026: Regional Finalists

Northumberland Arms is the right pick in Marple Bridge when you want a casual, community-owned village pub with credible real-ale recognition and a relaxed local crowd. It is better for pints, groups, quizzes, live music, low-pressure plans than for cocktail-led drinking or chef-driven dining.

Choose Countryman’s Inn if the goal is a casual North Yorkshire village pub with real ales, hearty pub food, outdoor space, rooms on site. It is a stronger pick for beer, comfort, local character than for a wine-led or cocktail-led night, with the community-owned format adding a clear sense of place.

Olde Cross is worth choosing for a casual village-pub drink, especially if community atmosphere matters more than a defined food programme. It is walk-in friendly, casual, strongest for pints, wine, whisky, low-pressure catch-ups in Old Ryton Village. Do not make it the anchor for a serious dinner unless a confirmed menu matters less than the pub setting.

Book Bell for a heritage village-pub visit built around cask ale, real cider, wine by the glass, a seasonal food menu. It is strongest for early evenings, relaxed dates, casual groups, especially by the fire in winter or in the beer garden in summer; it is not the right choice for late-night drinking.

Cockpit is worth choosing in Chislehurst when the priority is cask ale, fine cider, an unfussy micropub room rather than cocktails or a full pub dinner. The $$ pricing, casual dress code, walk-in-friendly setup make it an easy local call for two people or a small catch-up, with cheese and charcuterie as support rather than the main reason to go.

Alma Inn is worth choosing for a casual Linton pub date when real ale, hearty seasonal food, countryside informality matter more than cocktails or polish. The draw is its freehouse feel, acre of grounds, community events, CAMRA-backed beer credibility; go earlier for conversation, or lean into music and quiz nights if you want a livelier evening.

Book Turks Head for a casual, good-value St Helens pub visit built around real ales, relaxed food, a historic room with outdoor space. It is walk-in friendly, group-friendly, better for beer-led catch-ups than polished cocktail drinking or chef-led dining.

Fallen Tree is worth choosing in Clevedon if the plan is cask ale, conversation, a casual micropub setting rather than dinner or cocktails. The 10-cask stillage, changing beers, beer flights, dog-friendly feel, 2026 Pub of the Year Finalist recognition make it a strong value stop for beer drinkers, but groups needing space or a full food plan should look elsewhere first.

A strong pick for real-ale drinkers who want a traditional Northampton pub rather than a cocktail-led bar. Malt Shovel Tavern works well for casual groups, after-work pints, a lively indoor atmosphere, with food playing a supporting role. Skip it if outdoor seating or a full dining plan is the priority.

Choose Dog & Duck Inn for a low-pressure Lisbellaw pub evening with stronger beer and cider credentials than a routine village stop. It suits casual groups, dog owners, families, first-timers who want seasonal pub food, outdoor space, a relaxed room rather than a formal restaurant experience.

Railway Inn is worth choosing if the brief is a classic Ketton village pub with rotating cask ales, casual service, a conversational room. It is not a food-led booking, larger groups or cocktail drinkers should look elsewhere; beer drinkers wanting a low-key local stop get the clearest value.

Steam Packet Inn is a good-value choice for a casual harbour meal in the Isle of Whithorn, especially if you want food, drink, the option to stay in one place. Book for seasonal local cooking, pub classics, sea-adjacent atmosphere, an easygoing evening rather than a serious cocktail or late-night scene.

Railway Arms is worth choosing for a casual, low-price drink in Saffron Walden, especially if local cask ale, home-produced cider, a large beer garden matter more than a full restaurant meal. Go on Thursday if food trucks are part of the plan, expect a relaxed community-pub feel that can turn livelier on quiz or event nights.

Tamworth Tap is worth it for beer-first drinkers who want serious cask and craft range in a casual historic pub setting. Go for the on-site brewing, rotating ales, cider breadth, beer garden, national pub-award credibility; choose somewhere food-led if dinner or wine is the main event.

Nelson Arms is worth choosing for a casual Tonbridge night built around cask ale, cider, classic pub food, a lively local crowd. It is better for relaxed dates, group catch-ups, live music, low-key celebrations than for formal dining or cocktail-led plans.

Mold Alehouse is a strong pick for cask and cider drinkers who want a small, conversation-led micropub rather than a food-led pub or cocktail bar. Go for rotating beer, a Grade II listed setting, a low-distraction local feel; skip it if the plan needs dinner, outdoor seating, spirits, or a large-group setup.