Best Community Pub

The Swan, Clewer, Berkshire

Nestled in the village of Clewer, the Swan truly puts the community at its heart. This was the second time the Berkshire pub had taken the Best Community Pub title and deservedly so.

The Swan had served the community since the 18th century before it closed in 2016. Three years later, it was purchased by the Swan Clewer Community Interest Company, which now has more than 100 shareholders with some actively supporting the pub by managing it and being responsible for refurbishing it.

This was followed by a volunteer-led transformation of the site where more than 200 residents celebrated when the pub reopened its doors as a community-owned asset.

There’s a huge range of events taking place at the Swan, appealing to every member of its varied community. A weekly ‘chatter and natter’ table, which is part of the nationwide Chatty Café Scheme, provides a safe space for those needing an ear while bike fans are welcome with the pub being a permanent home for the Windsor Cycle Hub.

These are in addition to events such as Uke-Oke with a live ukulele band alongside cribbage groups, board games, Warhammer, Stitch Gang art classes, conversational French and a regular German Stammtisch as well as book and chess clubs, quiz evenings and bingo nights.

The pub is also home to an on-site education facility, where 16- to 18-year-olds are offered education and vocational opportunities.

The Green Room College provides a place to help transition older students from the school environment to the world of work through training courses, work experiences and employment in a safe space.

The pub is not only home to the college but also provides an opportunity for students to gain real hospitality experience by providing front-of-house service to staff, parents, the Swan customers and its community.

Moreover, this year saw award-winning pub expand its reach, supporting six community-nominated charities through dedicated coffee mornings.

Meanwhile, it’s annual SwanFest showcases live music, community celebration and lots going on for all including a record-breaking attempt involving rolling a Malteaser.

Best Country Pub

The Red Lion, Cranford, Northamptonshire

The Red Lion, Cranford boasts all the traditional elements you’d expect from a country pub, but its quirky extras, modern touches and focus on genuine hospitality are what sets it apart from the rest.

Stepping through the doors of this Grade II listed, sandstone-clad gem you’ll find a welcoming lounge bar where regulars come for a pint and a game of darts, or a mid-morning coffee mid-dog walk, while the airy – and air conditioned - conservatory restaurant fills with diners for regular nights like Mussel Mondays or Steak Wednesdays, and relaxed weekend lunches.

A £200,000 joint investment by owners Punch and the Greedy Gordon’s Group has financed an interior refresh, which includes stylish new toilets (check out the beer barrel urinals in the men’s), furniture, flooring and a wine wall. It’s also paid for new kitchen equipment and the development of a loyalty app for customers to help improve its offer.

Outside, the pollinator-friendly blossoming bee(r) garden respects its rural Northamptonshire location and a provides a beautiful backdrop for a G&T made with locally-distilled Warner’s honey gin as the sun sets, while bespoke-made accessible bench tables ensure everyone is welcome.

Indeed, even smokers are included. There’s a semi-enclosed cigar terrace, complete with sofa seating and retro arcade game, where customers can smoke a cigar bought from the pub’s very own cigar humidor.

Tucked away at the back is yet more space for dining, drinking and socialising. The Red Lion’s garden bar and restaurant is a multipurpose space, known as ‘Crab and Cocktails’ during the summer months and morphing into a Bavarian-themed space as the weather turns cooler. It also serves as an event space for weddings, wakes and parties, while a number of 50inch TV screens show national sports events and movies on Sundays.

With chef Richard Gordon at the helm of Greedy Gordon’s (overseen with business partner Sonya Harvey ) food is unsurprisingly a big focus at the Red Lion, but its food-centric ethos shapes its community work too. The Red Lion works with charity Homestart Kettering to provide meals, recipes and slow cookers to local families in need, so no-one in its area goes hungry.

Best Pub for Dogs

The Maltings, Old Hall, Warrington

The Maltings has built a dog-friendly offer that goes far beyond the basics. At this Warrington pub, dogs are part of the day-to-day rhythm of the business, with the team creating a welcoming environment for owners and their pets throughout the week.

Staff know many dogs (and their owners!) by name, giving the pub a strong community feel, while the wider offer has been developed with real thought and consistency.

The pub’s A La Bark menu, dog afternoon teas and £1 Monday dog dinners give customers clear reasons to visit with their pets, while dog birthday parties, Dog of the Week, beds, toys, blankets and a stick library add to the feel that dogs are genuinely catered for.

Community activity is also central to the offer. Regular dog walks have become a standout at the pub, with some walks attracting hundreds of owners and dogs. The events have helped turn the Maltings into a genuine hub for local dog owners, while also supporting repeat visits and wider customer loyalty. The pub has also used its dog-friendly platform to support wider community causes, including charity activity and welfare-focused walks, showing how the offer connects with more than just hospitality.

Its events programme gives customers regular reasons to engage with the business, whether through themed dog occasions, social walks, menu-led visits or online activity celebrating local pets. The Maltings also makes strong use of social media, WhatsApp groups, local networks and in-pub promotion to keep customers engaged with its dog-friendly activity and build momentum around upcoming events.

It is a pub that has understood the value of dog owners, not just as occasional visitors, but as a loyal and engaged customer base.

Best Pub for Entertainment

Black Swan Public House and Theatre, North Walsham, Norfolk

With inspired licensee Joseph Ballard at the helm, the Black Swan Public House & Theatre, is a worthy winner of the Great British Pub Awards Best Pub for Entertainment.

The Norfolk site is a unique venue that combines a traditional community pub with a dedicated theatre and events space.

The pub, which dates back to 1730, has transformed a separate building into a fully functional theatre complete with stage, seating, lighting and dressing room facilities for visiting acts.

It is run as a Community Interest Company, with a mission to create a welcoming, accessible and supportive space for the local community.

A key focus is on the space being used for community-led regular events as well as operating a performance programme.

Its programme of entertainment includes everything from drama, comedy, live music, tribute performances, cabaret, theatre, film screenings and its famous pantomime. The pub works with professional and amateur performers creating opportunities for customers to enjoy different types of entertainment.

The pub and theatre also remains committed to producing its own original entertainment, from murder mystery evenings to plays and musicals, through its own community theatre company.

The Black Swan has proved to be an important and inclusive asset for the local community. During the day it operates as a café style operation offering coffee and pastries while customers can pop in for a pint or even a mocktail later in the day.

Judges praised Joseph’s commitment and creativity in delivering the highest quality of entertainment as well as working in partnership with other local organisations while remaining focused on supporting people living in the local community. Judges said that Joseph is the driving force behind the entertainment offer and the success of the pub.

Best Pub for Families

The Plough, Prestbury

The Plough in Prestbury is a pub that perfectly demonstrates how family hospitality can be woven into every aspect of a business without compromising its appeal to any other customer group.

Operated by Emma and Paul Gibbon under the Inndulge business, the Plough has established itself as a true community hub.

Over nine years of ownership, the team has created an environment where families, local residents, walkers, cyclists and visitors all feel equally welcome. The pub’s success comes not from one standout feature, but from consistently delivering a high-quality experience across every touchpoint.

From the moment guests arrive, the Plough impresses with its picturesque thatched-roof setting and beautifully maintained gardens.

Significant investment has transformed the outdoor space into a genuine family destination, featuring a fenced play area, games lawn, French boules, table tennis, an orchard and extensive seating areas. Importantly, these spaces have been carefully zoned to provide entertainment for children while allowing adults to relax and enjoy their visit.

Judges were particularly impressed by the Plough’s commitment to creating reasons for families to visit throughout the year. It hosts an extensive programme of events including Easter hunts, craft activities, family festivals, school holiday celebrations, Halloween events and festive experiences. Many of these are offered free of charge, with donations encouraged for local charitable causes, reflecting the pub’s deep connection with its community.

The food and drink offer further strengthens the family proposition. The outdoor pizza kitchen has become a popular addition during busy periods, while the main menu is designed to cater for all ages. Rather than limiting younger guests to traditional children’s dishes, families are actively encouraged to explore the wider menu, recognising changing dining habits and preferences.

Central to the Plough’s success is a strong team culture built around training, development and opportunity. Emma and Paul have created an environment where employees are encouraged to grow, with several team members progressing through the ranks into supervisory and management positions. The result is an engaged, knowledgeable and loyal team that embodies the pub’s family values and delivers a consistently high standard of hospitality, helping to create a welcoming experience for every guest.

The Gloucestershire pub is more than play equipment and children’s menus. It is about creating an environment where every generation feels comfortable, valued and included.

Through outstanding leadership, thoughtful investment, community engagement and a year-round commitment to family hospitality, the Plough is a highly deserving winner of Best Pub for Families 2026.

Best Pub for Food

The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman's Rest, Slaggyford, Brampton

The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest has developed a distinctive food offer shaped by its Northumberland location, local farms and the surrounding estate.

The rural pub has built its identity around game, seasonality and a “fell to fork” approach, with dishes led by what is available from the land around it. Game plays a key role, alongside estate produce, whole-carcass butchery, low-waste techniques and fermentation.

The cooking combines technical skill with a clear respect for produce. Dishes are thoughtful and well executed, but the pub retains a warm and accessible feel. Its three-course lunch menu at £35 also gives customers strong value, particularly given the quality of the ingredients and the work behind the food.

Sustainability is woven into the way the kitchen operates. Fermentation, careful use of offcuts, local sourcing and whole-animal cooking are part of daily service rather than standalone initiatives, giving the pub a practical and joined-up approach to reducing waste. That local-first ethos runs through the wider offer too, with the team working almost entirely with UK produce, with coffee and wine among the only exceptions.

The drinks offer adds further depth, with a 300-plus bin wine list, the pub’s own whisky and a bar programme that makes creative use of the kitchen’s fermentation work. Ingredients such as syrups and preserved seasonal produce are carried through into the bar, helping link the drinks offer back to the same low-waste, produce-led thinking seen on the food menu.

Judges were impressed by the clarity and ambition of the offer, and the way the pub brought together skilled cooking, warm hospitality, value and serious sustainability in a way that felt both distinctive and genuinely rooted in the business.

Best Inn - Sponsored by St-Germain

The Lion Malpas, Cheshire

The Lion at Malpas has been named Best Inn, recognised for its food, accommodation and hospitality, as well as the way it has built a strong team and sense of community around the business.

Set in the village of Malpas, Cheshire, the country inn brings together a traditional pub, restaurant and accommodation, with a strong focus on local produce and a welcoming experience for both regulars and overnight guests.

Food is central to the Lion’s offering, with its 20-mile menu showcasing seasonal produce and suppliers from the surrounding area. The focus on local sourcing extends beyond the menu, with sustainability playing an important role in the way the pub operates. Waste is separated for recycling, cooking oil is recycled and toiletries have been moved from plastic to aluminium.

The accommodation adds another dimension to the business. Each room has its own style, while the Tudor House provides a particularly distinctive stay. Rooms are housed separately from the main building, giving guests a quieter environment and direct access to the garden.

The people behind the Lion are equally important to its success. Staff described it as a good place to work, with opportunities for internal progression allowing team members to build their careers within the business. That focus on its people is reflected in the warm and attentive service provided to guests.

The pub is also closely connected to its local community, supporting other businesses and sponsoring a local rugby club.

With its combination of a strong food offer, individual accommodation, committed team and thoughtful approach to running the business, the Lion at Malpas demonstrated all the qualities the judges were looking for in this year’s Best Inn.

Best Pub Garden - Sponsored by Diageo

The Tichborne Arms, Alresford, Hampshire

The Tichborne Arms is a worthy winner of the Great British Pub Awards Best Pub Garden category thanks to its outstanding ability to turn an outdoor space into the very heart of the business. Set within the stunning South Downs National Park, the garden offers far more than seating outdoors. It is a carefully designed destination that blends hospitality, community engagement, sustainability and unforgettable countryside experiences.

What sets the Tichborne Arms apart is the sheer variety and quality of the outdoor offering. Guests can enjoy panoramic views across water meadows, relax beneath the stretch tent canopy, gather around the fire tent and bespoke Asado pit, visit the orchard and kitchen garden, play pétanque, dine in the restored potting shed or enjoy food and drinks from the Meadow Kitchen and Meadow Bar. Every area has its own identity, creating a space that appeals equally to families, walkers, couples, food lovers and celebration groups.

The judges were particularly impressed by how active and inclusive the garden is throughout the year. Innovative events such as the Seafood Fire Feast and Little Bears role play sessions demonstrate a commitment to delivering unique experiences for all ages. Regular quizzes, carol singing, classic car gatherings, workshops and seasonal celebrations further strengthen its role as a true community hub.

Sustainability is woven throughout the site. Wildflower meadows, extensive planting, orchards, a productive kitchen garden and the development of a market garden all reinforce the pub’s connection to the landscape. Locally sourced drinks and produce add a genuine sense of place, while accessibility improvements ensure the space can be enjoyed by as many people as possible.

Strong marketing, excellent staff training and a high-quality food and drink offer complete the package. Looking ahead, plans to renovate the upper floor into guest accommodation and significantly expand the kitchen demonstrate an ongoing commitment to investment and improvement.

The Tichborne Arms has created a pub garden that is beautiful, functional, welcoming and constantly evolving. It is a destination that encourages people to linger, relax and connect with both the community and the countryside, making it a deserving winner of Best Pub Garden.

Best Pub to Watch Sport - Sponsored by TNT Sports

GOAT, Nantwich, Cheshire

Nantwich sports bar GOAT takes its name from the sporting acronym for Greatest of All Time. Little over a year after opening, it may be a touch early to suggest that it’s literally living up to the name, but it’s certainly taken several sizeable leaps in that direction.

The single-room venue on a corner site in the Cheshire town of Nantwich has been kitted out on a budget by its four co-owners, not that you’d know from looking. The fit-out was done largely using reclaimed materials – the bar front is constructed from the old floorboards of a school hall that were being replaced – and it’s achieved a premium look that’s a notch above the standard sports bar spec.

The food offer too is up a level, with the two food influencers on the team using their knowledge and contacts to source locally, even developing a signature smash burger blend in partnership with an independent butcher based 10 minutes down the road, a process that took three months because they wanted to get the recipe spot on.

It’s also partnered with a nearby distiller on a bespoke gin and has its own-badged lager, with an AC Milan-style red and black striped colour scheme that’s replicated on items such as the food and drink menus and the soap dispensers in the loos. Braille, large-print and dyslexic-friendly menus demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity, while high priority for women’s sport encourages a diverse customer mix.

The overall aim was to create a distinctively UK take on the classic American-style sports bar, and there’s no better example of that than in the decorative approach. Instead of gridiron helmets and basketball shirts, there are glass table tops with Englis football programmes beneath them, while the interactive darts board has a backdrop of retro football cards. GOAT also sells its own design of football shirt – the GOAT logo on red and white stripes, of course.

Best Town Pub

Dr Foster, The Docks, Gloucester

A historic waterside pub that oozes character, champions its local community and is laser-focused on the guest experience – it is clear to see why Dr Foster was crowned Best Town Pub at this year’s Great British Pub Awards (GBPA).

The awards were held at Leeds First Direct Arena on Wednesday 23 September, with Dr Foster taking home the title following a year focused on building stronger links with its local community while continuing to develop its food, drink and events offer.

Located in the Kimberley Warehouse on Gloucester Docks, the pub is part of hospitality group A Rule of Tum, run by brothers Dorian and Edwin Kirk.

The sizeable site has worked with local businesses, charities, universities and community groups to bring more people through its doors and make greater use of its space.

Exposed wooden beams nod to the building’s history, while the operation caters for a broad mix of occasions, from a quick drink to family celebrations, intimate dinners, networking events and private functions.

Beer also plays a significant role at Dr Foster, with three cask ales, two of which rotate weekly, and 13 keg lines behind the bar, alongside a range of no and low-alcohol options.

The pub is also listed in the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Good Beer Guide and continues to put local producers centre stage through brewery tap takeovers and beer festivals.

There is plenty happening away from the pumps too, with board games, a dog-friendly offer and food and drink promotions helping the venue cater for different customers throughout the day.

Behind the scenes, the duo has also invested in strengthening the team and developing training at Dr Foster.

New starters complete a structured four-week induction, including time at other sites within the wider hospitality group, while employees are offered opportunities to gain further qualifications.

Training covers areas including cellar management, cask ale knowledge and customer service, with an emphasis on retaining and developing the team.

Finding more ways to use its historic Gloucester Docks home, and giving locals more reasons to visit, has also been central to the past year.

Overall, Dr Foster impressed judges with its strong food and drink credentials, focus on staff development and commitment to the local community, alongside its historic setting and emphasis on quality beer.

Admiral Taverns Pub of the Year

The Crown, Fordham, Ely

The Crown has risen from the ashes of a devastating fire that swept through the building in 2023. Restored and refurbished to a high standard by Admiral, it finally reopened as a pub in November 2025, with tenant and industry newcomer Tom Ward at the helm.

Fuelled with an ambitious vision and an energetic entrepreneurial drive, Ward and his team have quickly established the new-look Crown as the vibrant centre of village life.

Families from Fordham and the surrounding area are at the heart of the pub’s audience, attracted by an on-trend seasonal smokehouse menu featuring imaginative and tasty dishes such as smoked baby back ribs, beef brisket and creamy Cajun king prawn linguine plus burgers and spuds baked over hot coals. Ingredients, including all the meat, are sourced as locally as possible.

While much of the pub is given over to an elegant comfortable dining room, there’s a locals’ bar and pool room, too, where up to four cask ales and a choice of stouts are poured.

In the large beer garden at the back, Ward has installed a substantial outdoor bar with five draught taps and a barbecue, which comes into its own in the summer. The Crown has already celebrated its return with a family fun day that drew 300 people and is likely to become an annual affair.

That’s part of a busy events calendar which includes pool competitions, charity quiz nights, bingo, Deal or No Deal and wine tastings. The pub is also host to Empty Chairs, an initiative that brings together local people who might be feeling a bit lonely.

It’s still early days for the business, of course, with plenty more to come, but the speed, confidence and success with which Ward has converted Admiral’s considerable investment into a thriving community hub and food destination sets it apart.

Greene King Pub of the Year

The Old Ship Inn, Perth

More than 17 years of hard work has paid off for one Scottish licensee after she took home a top pub award.

Tina McLaren, who runs the Old Ship Inn, Perth, was named the Greene King Pub of the Year at the Great British Pub Awards last week (23 September) during a glittering ceremony at the First National Arena in Leeds.

The award was the culmination of nearly two decades of graft which has seen Tina carve out an outstanding reputation for her pub, with a gin offer than puts many pubs to shame, alongside a cask beer range which has won her notice from the likes of CAMRA and real ale lovers across the country.

That exceptional focus on cask beer has seen the Old Ship Inn named CAMRA’s Perth City Pub of the Year for four years running and the overall Tayside Pub of the Year in 2026 as well.

Previously a winner with Greene King, who named her operation Beer Pub of the Year at their own Night of Excellence awards, she’s now gone on to take the overall company title in The Morning Advertiser’s prestigious Great British Pub Awards.

The pub itself, which is entirely wet-led, is one of the oldest in the city and dates back to 1665, but Tina has not sat back and relied on the history and the heritage of the building.

A recent extensive refurbishment of the city has given the bar, which is tiny with just 40 covers, a fresh new look, alongside investment into the pubs toilets to create what might just be the best ladies loos in the UK.

This is a small but perfectly formed pub that is punching well above its weight and has quite rightly seen off impressive competition from some exceptional pubs within the Greene King estate.

Judges described the operation as being as close to perfection as a pub can get and is doing the kind of business that would put much larger pubs to shame, and all out of a tiny, but perfectly formed, wet led venue in a side street in Perth.

Marston's Pub of the Year

The Honey Bee, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

A significant transformation has put the Honey Bee firmly on the map, with the Aylesbury pub crowned Marston’s Pub of the Year at the Great British Pub Awards (GBPA) 2026.

The awards were held at Leeds First Direct Arena on Wednesday 23 September, where the Honey Bee took home the title after impressing judges with its focus on customer service, staff development and creating a pub firmly rooted in its local community.

Located on Trenchard Street in Aylesbury, the pub is operated by Gavin Crisell, who has been at the helm for almost three years.

Under his leadership, the Honey Bee has evolved into a thriving community-focused operation, with broad appeal and plenty to keep people coming back.

The pub offers everything from pool, darts to live sport, dog-friendly facilities and family entertainment, while its food offer ranges from pub classics to pizzas.

Events have also become a significant part of the operation, with quizzes, poker nights and functions joined by newer additions including monthly live music and children’s brunches.

Bingo nights, introduced in December, have proved particularly popular, and the pub actively asks customers what they would like to see added to its events calendar.

Though its community ties stretch beyond events, with the Honey Bee maintaining relationships with local organisations and parish councils as well as supporting local and national charities through fundraising.

Behind the scenes, staff development is a key focus, combining Marston’s learning platform with in-house coaching across the kitchen and bar teams, while positive mentions of individual team members in customer feedback are recognised and rewarded.

Overall, the Honey Bee impressed judges with its community engagement, strong leadership, ambitious events programme and charitable activity, alongside its continued focus on service and developing its team.

For the Honey Bee, putting people and events at the centre of the operation has helped reshape the pub – and now earned it the title of Marston’s Pub of the Year 2026.

Punch Pub of the Year

The Rattlebone Inn, Malmesbury

Named after a legendary Saxon warrior, the Rattlebone Inn has been at the heart of the village of Sherston for centuries.

Now run by operators Matthew and Charlie Wofinden-England, the pair have taken a formerly struggling operation and turned it into an award winning business, taking home the title of Punch Pub of the Year at the Great British Pub Awards.

Taking over the pub in November 2024 the couple have built up its reputation, both for great food with recognition in the form of an AA Rosette, but also putting the operation back at the heart of the local community it serves.

The menu is impressive, and led by head chef Roger Payne, features everything from homemade pies to crispy katsu butternut squash, alongside the more traditional burgers and roasts.

Charity is also important to the operation, with 50p of every Rattlebone burger being donated to the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals. The pub in total has raised over £12,000 in the last 18 months to support a range of good causes.

Part of the popularity of the operation under Matthew and Charlie has been the focus on restoring the pub to the heart of the village, and a big part of that has been the emphasis on events and activities, ranging from regular quiz nights and live music, to wine club tastings and even murder mystery nights, which have proven a big hit with regulars. The pub is also home to a range of local sports clubs, including the village cricket team and Sherston FC.

Judges were impressed with the Rattlebone’s traditional look and feel, alongside a more modern and impressive offer which seeks to engage the local community and visitors alike with a more up-to-date experience. The ancient and the modern in perfect balance, executed superbly by Charlie and Matthew.

Stonegate Group Pub Partners Pub of the Year

The Cow Shed at The Ship Inn, Ospringe, Faversham

This family-run pub impressed the judges with its strong ongoing business innovation, excellent community focus and impactful marketing ideas.

The Lamba family have created a welcoming environment for all at The Cow Shed at The Ship Inn including families, drinkers, diners and dog-owners and its a popular pub for both locals and destination customers.

Its strong food offer, focusing on an American smokehouse menu, including breakfast, the pub’s Sunday roasts (featuring 12-hour slow cooked beef brisket), set-price lunch menu, garden fire pit grill and barbecue offer and food delivery service run with its own delivery drivers, as well as is well-rounded drinks range, including impactful promotions, were also praised.

Impressive innovations included offering a one-stop shop for events, even having its own in-house cake making business, how it adds the wow factor to customers’ special occasions, its mobile catering business ‘The Cow Shed On the Hoof’, parcel lockers and imaginative range of events, including film screenings with themed dinners, Puppy Pawty featuring dog retailers and activities and ‘Breakfast with Santa’ for dogs.

Judges were also impressed with the resilience shown by The Cow Shed team over the past few months with dealing with the challenge of having part of the front of the pub boarded up after a car came through the front of it, which has had a big impact on passing trade.

The pub also has a strong community focus, hosting darts teams, quiz nights, charity meat raffles and regular live music events, whilst also supporting lots of local projects and charities, including providing thousands of free meals to vulnerable children across Kent and sponsoring youth football.

Its strong marketing initiatives, team training and benefits also impressed.