THE BEST PUBS IN TOWN AND COUNTRY 2019

Every year The Good Pub Guide editors select the very best pubs from across the country to be awarded a collection of National Awards.

UNSPOILT PUB OF THE YEAR 2019

We are so lucky to still be able to find pubs in this modern world that don’t change to suit fashions in décor or food and that remain quite unpretentious and honest. Our Top Ten are White Lion in Barthomley (Cheshire), Barley Mow in Kirk Ireton and Flying Childers in Stanton in Peak (Derbyshire), Fountain Head in Branscombe (Devon), Square & Compass at Worth Matravers (Dorset),  Harrow in Steep (Hampshire), Black Horse at Caythorpe (Nottinghamshire), Crown in Churchill (Somerset), Birch Hall at Beck Hall (Yorkshire), and Olde Mitre in Central London. The cottagey Flying Childers in Stanton in Peak is our Unspoilt Pub of the Year 2019.

COUNTRY PUB OF THE YEAR 2019

A country pub conjurs up roaring fires, honest food and a genuine welcome for both you and your dog after a walk. Our Top Ten choices are the White Horse in Hedgerley and Crown in Little Missenden (Buckinghamshire), Brace of Pheasants at Plush (Dorset), Royal Oak at Fritham (Hampshire),  Althorp Coaching Inn at Great Brington (Northamptonshire), Royal Oak in Cardington (Shropshire),  Black Horse in Clapton-in-Gordano (Somerset), Hatchet in Lower Cute (Wiltshire), Fleece in Bretforton (Worcestershire) and Harp in Old Radnor (Wales). For over 90 years the same friendly family have been running the charming Crown in Little Missenden. It is our Country Pub of the Year 2019.

TOWN PUB OF THE YEAR 2019

Town pubs are often just as popular for morning coffee or afternoon tea as they are for a pint – but they must offer a genuine welcome to strangers. Our Top Ten include the Punter in Cambridge (Cambridgeshire), Old Courthouse in Cheltenham (Gloucestershire), Wykeham Arms in Winchester (Hampshire), Bank House in King’s Lynn (Norfolk), Victoria in Durham (Northumbria), Woodstock Arms in Woodstock (Oxfordshire), Lion & Pheasant in Shrewsbury (Shropshire), Old Green Tree in Bath (Somerset), Old Joint Stock in Birmingham (Warwickshire),  and Babbity Bowster in Glasgow (Scotland). With its lively atmosphere, flamboyant interior, all-day popular food and even its own theatre, the Old Joint Stock in Birmingham is our Town Pub of the Year 2019.

INN OF THE YEAR 2019

To stay away in lovely bedrooms at a pub or an inn means you just have to totter down to the bar for a drink or a meal: perfect. 292 of our pubs hold one of our Stay Awards and many are in stunning locations or in historic buildings. Our Top Ten are the Drunken Duck near Hawkshead (Cumbria), Rock at Haytor Vale (Devon), New Inn in Cerne Abbas (Dorset), Kings Head in Bledington (Gloucestershire), Wellington Arms in Baughurst (Hampshire), Inn at Whitewell near Whitewell (Lancashire), Lord Crewe Arms at Blanchland (Northumbria), Luttrell Arms in Dunster (Somerset), Cat in West Hoathly (Sussex), Blue Lion in East Witton (Yorkshire), and Bear in Crickhowell (Wales). Surrounded by glorious countryside and with an excellent restaurant and own-brewed beer the Drunken Duck near Hawkshead is our Inn of the Year 2019.

VALUE PUB OF THE YEAR 2019

It’s quite a feat managing to keep main course dishes at £11 or under but 64 pubs amongst our Main Entries have done that. Our Top Ten Value pubs are the Drake Manor in Buckland Monachorum (Devon), Digby Tap in Sherborne (Dorset), Yew Tree at Lower Wield (Hampshire), Church Inn at Uppermill (Lancashire), Dipton Mill Inn at Diptonmill (Northumbria), Old Castle in Bridgnorth (Shropshire), Black Horse at Clapton-in-Gordano (Somerset), Blue Boar in Aldbourne (Wiltshire), Crown & Trumpet in Broadway (Worcestershire) and Maltings in York (Yorkshire). For its wide choice of very fair value food, the Old Castle in Bridgnorth is our Value Pub of the Year 2019.

DINING PUB OF THE YEAR 2019

We are incredibly lucky to have such gifted chefs providing wonderful food in so many of our pubs – which makes the task of whittling them down to just ten here, a difficult task. They are the Pheasant in Keyston (Cambridgeshire), Wellington Arms in Baughurst (Hampshire), Stagg in Titley (Herefordshire), Assheton Arms at Downham (Lancashire), Olive Branch in Clipsham (Leicestershire), Martins Arms at Colston Bassett (Nottinghamshire), Plough at Kingham (Oxfordshire), White Horse in Sibton (Suffolk), Red Lion in East Chisenbury (Wiltshire) and Griffin in Felinfach (Wales). Chef proprietor Emily Watkins cooks inspirational food from an exceptional menu – the Plough at Kingham is Dining Pub of the Year 2019.