The best pubs in the UK have been named as part of the Campaign for Real Ale‘s (CAMRA) prestigious Pub of the Year competition. With 17 winners from all the regions in the UK, the best pub in Greater Manchester has of course also been named, in the form of a charming, traditional gem in the crown of the North West… the Northumberland Arms in Marple Bridge.
Pubs in the competition were scored on their atmosphere, décor, welcome, service, inclusivity, overall impression, but most importantly – the quality of live beer, real cider and perry.
Saved from permanent closure in 2017, following a successful campaign by the local community to bring the Northumberland Arms into community ownership, the pub has continued to flourish. Now run by a group of enthusiastic local people who have worked hard to restore this cosy, welcoming pub to its former glory, the Northumberland Arms is reaching new heights.
Becoming the beating heart of its community, the pub, locally referred to as ‘The Thumb,’ is a hub for events and activities, including running, cycling and walking clubs – affectionally known as Thumb Runs, Thumb Wheels and Thumb Legs. The pub also organises an annual event to raise money for MIND − the mental health charity.
The Northumberland Arms has a great choice of brews on offer, including some from local breweries like Robinsons in Stockport and Track in Manchester, and a varied range of well kept beers is always available, often including a mild or a dark beer.
Other nearby regional winners included the Turks Head in St Helens (Merseyside and Cheshire), and Preston’s Black Horse (West Pennines), praised for their Tudor and Victorian styling respectively, and an immense choice of tipples from cask and keg to gins and whisky, if you ever fancy a little trip.
The full list of regional winners is as follows:
- Central Southern − Bell Inn, Aldworth
- East Anglia − Blackfriars Tavern, Great Yarmouth
- East Midlands − Horse and Jockey, Stapleford
- Greater Manchester − Northumberland Arms, Marple Bridge
- Kent − Nelson Arms, Tonbridge
- Greater London − Little Green Dragon, Winchmore Hill
- Merseyside & Cheshire − Turks Head, St Helens
- North East − Grey Horse, Consett
- Northern Ireland − Dog and Duck, Lisbellaw
- Scotland − Hillend Tavern, Dalgety Bay
- South West − Crossways Inn, West Huntspill
- Surrey & Sussex − Brickmakers Alehouse, Bexhill on Sea
- Wales − Cresselley Arms, Cressell Quay
- Wessex − Woodman Inn, Bridport
- West Midlands − Bailey Head, Owestry
- West Pennines − Black Horse, Preston
- Yorkshire − Three B’s, Bridlington
Andrea Briers, National Coordinator for the Pub of the Year competition, said: ”These amazing pubs really are the crème de la crème and I would encourage the public to seek out the 17 winners from across the nations and regions of the UK – they are top-tier pubs serving excellent beer, cider and perry, run by welcoming, hardworking staff.
“It’s also important to support your local all year round. With constant pressure from stubbornly high energy prices, fluctuating running costs and grossly unfair business rates threatening to drown pubs across the UK, it’s vital to get out and support the licensed trade.”
The regional and national finalists will now compete for the UK National Pub of the Year award, with judges whittling the 17 pubs down to just four in late September. CAMRA’s esteemed National Pub of the Year title is the topmost accolade the campaigning group can bestow upon a pub, and the overall winner will be announced in January 2025.
📍 You can find the Northumberland Arms at 64 Compstall Rd, Marple Bridge, Stockport SK6 5HD.