CAMRA has unveiled the winners of its Pub Design Awards, recognising the most stunning feats of architecture, design, and conservation in British pubs across the country.
Clockwise from top left: the Bleeding Wolf, Scholar Green; the Boleyn Tavern, East Ham; Brewpoint, Bedford; Crown Wharf, Stone; the Coach & Horses, Barnburgh; and The Castle, Macclesfield
There were six winners and one highly commended pub across different categories, ranging from refurbishment to new build.
Andrew Davison, chair of CAMRA’s judging panel, said: “Once again, the awards underline just how varied Britain’s pubs are, and we have had a hard job in selecting the winners from the entries submitted.
“Amongst the award winners we have new pubs, old pubs, urban pubs, rural pubs, elegant old inns, elaborate Victorian ‘gin palaces’, and inter-war pubs. There was a concern that pub owners would suspend work on their buildings during the pandemic, but quite a few seem to have taken the opportunity of enforced closure to plan and carry out repairs, restoration, and improvements.
“What links them is that their owners and their architects have responded to them as individual buildings, rather than applying a standard formula. The result is a fantastically varied selection of winners. We applaud them all, and trust that these revitalised buildings will be serving their communities for many years to come.”
The winners
New builds
Joint winners
Brewpoint, Bedford
Wells & Co’s flagship, state-of-the-art, multi-functional brewery and office space at the gateway to the town.
Crown Wharf, Stone, Staffordshire
Joules’ new taphouse, inspired by historic canal-side warehouses.
Refurbishments
Winner
King’s Arms, Dorchester, Dorset
The Stay Original Company has overseen a major refurbishment, which has seen careful repair and conservation of historic fixtures and fittings, and careful integration of new ones.
Highly commended
Bleeding Wolf, Scholar Green, Cheshire
Robinsons Brewery embarked on a refurbishment that has carefully conserved the interior features while subtle alterations have been made to make it fit for use in the 21st century.
Historic England Conservation
Joint winners
Castle, Macclesfield
Branching Out Two Ltd has given a new lease of life to a pub that was apparently destined for permanent closure while maintaining the feel of its historic core.
Coach & Horses, Barnburgh
Don Valley Brewery has taken this historic pub and has carefully carried out alterations to update its facilities resulting in another pub that has been given a new lease of life and is back at the centre of the village.
Community local
Winner
Boleyn Tavern, East Ham
An elaborate ‘gin palace’ built in 1899 that was in a sorry state when purchased by Remarkable Pubs Ltd. They spent around 18 months, and around £1.5m, lovingly overhauling the building.
