Pub punters can feel tribally loyal to their local – whether for the selection of brews, friendliness of atmosphere, array of sporting screens or sprawling beer gardens.
Yet now a new selection of boozers deemed the finest in the country has been unveiled – recommending where to go, while also answering whether your favourite has made the grade.
The 2024 Great British Pub Awards have been announced, showcasing venues varying from the best community pub to the top place for catching sporting action.
Gongs were also given for pubs providing the best welcome whether for dogs or families – or else serving up overall entertainment.
But did your local found itself on the list? Read on to find out more about where the UK’s best pubs are based…
Best Country Pub/Great British Pub of the Year – The Tollemache Arms – Harrington, Northamptonshire
Located in the Northamptonshire countryside, this pub offers a tasty menu which has everything from sharing platters to handmade pizzas.
Drinkers are welcome all year round as they can sink a pint in the establishment’s spacious garden in the summer or get cozy by the log fire during the winter.
Located in the Northamptonshire countryside, The Tollemache Arms offers a tasty menu which has everything from sharing platters to handmade pizzas
Best Pub for Beer – The Tamworth Tap – Tamworth, Staffordshire
This is the latest award for this popular pub – which was crowned the best pub in the country for the second time in a row in January.
Located in a 16th-Century building, the boozer is only the second to win the prize in back-to-back years.
Located in a 16th-Century building, the Tamworth Tap is only the second to win the prize in back-to-back years
Best Pub for Dogs – No. Twenty9 Bar and Restaurant – Burnham Market, Norfolk
Despite only being open for seven years, this boozer has cemented its spot as a popular destination for punters and their pets.
Diners can tuck in to their choice of a host of classical British dishes and enjoy a glass of wine from the venue’s wide selection.
Despite only being open for seven years, No. Twenty9 Bar and Restaurant has cemented its spot as a popular destination for punters and their pets
Best Pub for Entertainment – The Trafalgar Tavern – Greenwich, London
This Victorian riverside pub is perfect for thirty families after a day out in the city.
The south-east London establishment has an eye-catching cobbled outdoor drinking area and hosts an array of live music nights.
The Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich, London was the winner of this year’s Best Pub for Entertainment award
Best Pub for Families – Almondsbury Creative – Almondsbury, Bristol
Located in the sleepy village of Almondsbury on the outskirts of Bristol, this pub is a great place to bring the kids and serves up a variety of roast dinners.
With meat, vegetarian and vegan options all on the menu, foodies across the UK will be desperately trying to book a table at this spot in the next couple of months.
The Almondsbury Creative is a great place to bring the kids and serves up great roast dinners
Best Pub for Food – Hinds Head – Bray, Berkshire
Having finished second in this category last year, this boozer has upped its game to claim the top prize in 2024.
The gastropub is owned by chef Heston Blumenthal and offers next level pub classics and comforting British dishes to its satisfied diners.
Having finished second in this category last year, Hinds Head has upped its game to claim the top prize in 2024
Best Pub Garden – Myrtle Tavern – Leeds, West Yorkshire
This beautiful West Yorkshire public house offers the perfect experience for pub-goers looking to enjoy a drink in the sun.
The Myrtle Tavern charms locals with it’s al fresco experience in the well-tended garden, which also has a very popular play area.
Myrtle Tavern offers the perfect experience for pub-goers looking to enjoy a drink in the sun
Best Pub to Watch Sport – The Gardeners Arms – Norwich, Norfolk
Ever since the football season kicked off in August, fans have been eager to find a good boozer to watch games in.
And this busy city center pub always has sport on its screen, which punters can enjoy whilst tucking into a selection of tasty grub offerings.
The Gardeners Arms won the award for Best Pub to Watch Sport
Best Sustainable Pub – The Pig’s Head – Clapham, south-west London
Pub-goers looking to reduce their carbon footprint while enjoying a pint should head to The Pig’s Head in south-west London.
The establishment was certified carbon neutral in April 2023, and prides itself on sourcing products from suppliers with a low environmental impact.
Pub-goers looking to reduce their carbon footprint while enjoying a pint should head to The Pig’s Head in south-west London
Best Town Pub – Bull & Swan – Stamford, Lincolnshire
According to their website, the Bull and Swan is a self-styled ‘gastro’ pub with ‘luxury’ rooms and a ‘beautiful’ garden space.
Their tasty menu offers a hearty portion of fish and chips with mushy peas, curry sauce and tartare sauce; pork schnitzel, Jersey Royal potato salad, caper brown butter; and baked cider mussels with rosemary fries.
According to their website, the Bull and Swan is a self-styled ‘gastro’ pub with ‘luxury’ rooms and a ‘beautiful’ garden space
Best Community Pub – The Swan – Windsor, Berkshire
The Swan prides itself on being a pillar of the community and goes above and beyond to serve locals and visors alike.
It’s warm atmosphere means revellers can spend hours enjoying themselves on the premises – whilst also being a great pit-stop for hikers and dog walkers.
The Swan in Windsor prides itself on being a pillar of the community and goes above and beyond to serve locals and visors alike
Admiral Taverns Pub of the Year – The Royal Oak – Brandon, Warwickshire
Having been forced to close its doors five times in four months during 2023, the Royal Oak has bounced back in style to claim this victory.
The Royal Oak in Brandon, Warwickshire won the Admiral Taverns Pub of the Year
Greene King Pub of the Year – The Cott Inn – Dartington, Devon
This Grade II listed 12th century coaching inn took home the Pub of the Year title and the Pub Garden of the Year prize at the Greene King’s Night of Excellence Awards in June.
This latest victory will attract more thirsty customers to the venue’s front door.
The Cott Inn took home the Pub of the Year title and the Pub Garden of the Year prize at the Greene King’s Night of Excellence Awards
Marston’s Pub of the Year – The Griffin – Loughborough, Leicestershire
Loved by students and locals, the Griffin is a versatile spot which is now an award-winning establishment.
The pub features myriad framed pictures, a pool table, TVs showing live sport and a heated beer garden.
Loved by students and locals, the Griffin is a versatile spot which is now an award-winning establishment
Punch Pub of the Year – The Red Lion – Cranford, Northamptonshire
The Red Lion in Cranford, Northamptonshire won Punch Pub of the Year 2024
With more than 1,200 Punch pubs in the UK, being named the 2024 best pub in the organisation has thrilled owners Sonya and Richard Gordon.
‘It makes the blood, sweat and tears all worth it and demonstrates that people very much like what we are doing,’ Mr Gordon said.
