Gorsedd: Druid Inn voted one of UK's best-looking pubs
A FLINTSHIRE venue has officially been ranked as one of the 'best-looking' pubs in the UK.
After closing down in June 2023, it was announced a month later that Jerry Brunning had purchased the historic Druid Inn, at Gorsedd near Holywell, for his Pubs Ltd group.
General manager Ray Faulder-Jones then stepped in to the role early last year before the pub - rumoured to date back to the 12th century - re-opened during in March 2024.
Now, one year on, the venue has become a vital community hub offering plenty of events and great food for locals and visitors alike to enjoy.
And that popularity has been cemented once more as the pub has this week been announced as the winner in the 'refurbishment' category of CAMRA's Pub Design Awards 2025.
The competition celebrates some of the most visually stunning, historically significant and lovingly restored pubs across the UK.
Judged by a panel of experts in design and conservation, the awards highlight both the importance and vulnerability of pub architecture, from ornate Victorian gin palaces to imaginative contemporary spaces.
The Refurbishment category rewards the best refurbishment of an existing pub building, ranging from a complete gutting to enhancing the design of what was originally in the pub.
Judges praised this extensive, but thoughtful, refurbishment noting the pub's cosy nooks and crannies, a welcoming central bar, comfortable seating, quirky artwork, soft lighting, roaring fireplaces and a private dining room.
TOP STORIES TODAY
Andrew Davison, Chair of the Pub Design Awards judging panel, said: 'The Pub Design Awards recognise the highest standards of pub architecture, rewarding artistic flair and painstaking historical conservation.
"From inviting streetcorner locals to striking medieval coaching inns, there are some stunning pubs in the UK, and the craftmanship involved in making these venues a gorgeous place to enjoy cask beer and real cider or perry should rightfully be applauded.
"I encourage heritage enthusiasts and pub lovers alike to visit these inspirational buildings."
Click on the gallery above to see pictures of the Druid Inn.
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Daily Mail
15 hours ago
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The most beautiful pubs in Britain: From street corner locals to attractive village beer houses, Camra reveals the UK's best-looking boozers
From an 'industrial chic' refurbishment to a stunning 17th century timber-framed building, these are Britain's most beautiful pubs in which to enjoy a pint. The venues from Suffolk to Staffordshire and Surrey to Norfolk are the winners of the Pub Design Awards 2025 run by the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra). Judges who are experts in design and conservation highlighted some of the UK's most visually stunning, historically significant and lovingly restored pubs. The winners were the Druid Inn in Gorsedd, North Wales; Borough Beer House in Farnham, Surrey; Forester in Ealing, London; Swan in Stratford St Mary, Suffolk; Bod in Lichfield, Staffordshire; and Peasants' Tavern in North Walsham, Norfolk. Andrew Davison, the judging panel chair, said: 'From inviting street-corner locals to striking medieval coaching inns, there are some stunning pubs in the UK. 'The craftmanship involved in making these venues a gorgeous place to enjoy cask beer and real cider or perry should rightfully be applauded.' However, Camra awards committee chair Gary Timmins added that this year's results were 'tinged with sadness' because another winner had to close for good. The Python's Arms in Lyonshall, Herefordshire, was only converted from a 13th century rural farm a year ago, but has now shut due to financial pressures. Here are the winners of each category in the Camra Pub Design Awards 2025: Historic England Conservation Award Winner: Swan in Stratford St Mary, Suffolk 'The Grade II-listed timber-framed pub, believed to date back to the 17th century, has been carefully renovated and conserved by Boudica Inns, owned by Mark and Sophie Dorber. 'A glazed conservatory housing a new bar, servery and dining area has been added to the original building, designed by architects KLH of Ipswich. 'Judges admired how the contemporary design of the large extension, with an exterior finished in steel and glass, made a striking contrast between the older elements of the pub.' New Build Award Winner: Bod in Lichfield, Staffordshire 'Titanic brewery, Stoke-on-Trent has previously won awards for its conversions of existing buildings, but this is the first time that it has created a building from scratch. 'Architect and designer Mark Smith of Mark Smith Design has included several trademark bod design elements in an imaginative and stylish fashion. 'Judges admired the pub's industrial chic design, which makes use of recycled wood, distressed paintwork, quirky light fittings and exposed ceiling pipes. 'The judging panel felt the new pub was a great addition to Lichfield's beer scene.' Joint winner: Borough Beer House in Farnham, Surrey 'A conversion of the former Bailiff's Hall in the historic Grade II-listed Town Hall Buildings, dating from 1674. 'Owner Mark Curran oversaw the conversion of the former dress shop, sensitively retaining existing features, including beamed ceilings, period fireplaces, wood panelling and a herringbone pattern floor. 'Custom crafted benches have been designed to be in keeping with the historic character of the building.' 'A conversion of a 13th century rural farm building at Penrhos Court, which once housed the Penrhos brewery owned by Terry Jones of Monty Python fame, owners Mark Bentham and Laura Lane have carried out a thorough renovation of this characterful building. Judges praised the rustic décor noting characterful design touches such as the lobby doorhandle shaped in the form of a python.' Refurbishment Award Winner: Druid Inn in Gorsedd, North Wales 'The latest addition to a small group of pubs owned by Pubs, a company set up by Jerry Brunning of Brunning and Price, and his wife Beth. 'Acquired in June 2023 after closure by Thwaites brewery, the Druid reopened in March 2024 after an extensive yet thoughtful renovation. 'Judges praised the refurbishment noting the pub's cosy nooks and crannies, a welcoming central bar, comfortable seating, quirky artwork, soft lighting, roaring fireplaces and a private dining room.' Commended: Peasants' Tavern, North Walsham, Norfolk 'Owner Charlie Holden employed DCP Architecture of Rackheath, Norwich, to design and oversee the refurbishment of the former market tavern. 'The interior has been given a careful make-over, with quality woodwork and furnishings finished in shades of green. Judges noted the use of old maps to relieve what might otherwise have been a rather dark interior as an interesting feature.' Winner: Forester, Ealing, West London 'A Grade II-listed pub featured in CAMRA's National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors, with Edwardian fireplaces, art nouveau-style stained glass and even long-defunct remnants of gas lighting in the public bar. 'Owner Fuller's has carried out a very respectful refurbishment of the building, carefully conserving the historic features, and adding a first-floor function room to enhance the facilities the pub has to offer its community.'
Leader Live
20 hours ago
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Gorsedd: Druid Inn voted one of UK's best-looking pubs
A FLINTSHIRE venue has officially been ranked as one of the 'best-looking' pubs in the UK. After closing down in June 2023, it was announced a month later that Jerry Brunning had purchased the historic Druid Inn, at Gorsedd near Holywell, for his Pubs Ltd group. General manager Ray Faulder-Jones then stepped in to the role early last year before the pub - rumoured to date back to the 12th century - re-opened during in March 2024. Now, one year on, the venue has become a vital community hub offering plenty of events and great food for locals and visitors alike to enjoy. And that popularity has been cemented once more as the pub has this week been announced as the winner in the 'refurbishment' category of CAMRA's Pub Design Awards 2025. The competition celebrates some of the most visually stunning, historically significant and lovingly restored pubs across the UK. Judged by a panel of experts in design and conservation, the awards highlight both the importance and vulnerability of pub architecture, from ornate Victorian gin palaces to imaginative contemporary spaces. The Refurbishment category rewards the best refurbishment of an existing pub building, ranging from a complete gutting to enhancing the design of what was originally in the pub. Judges praised this extensive, but thoughtful, refurbishment noting the pub's cosy nooks and crannies, a welcoming central bar, comfortable seating, quirky artwork, soft lighting, roaring fireplaces and a private dining room. TOP STORIES TODAY Andrew Davison, Chair of the Pub Design Awards judging panel, said: 'The Pub Design Awards recognise the highest standards of pub architecture, rewarding artistic flair and painstaking historical conservation. "From inviting streetcorner locals to striking medieval coaching inns, there are some stunning pubs in the UK, and the craftmanship involved in making these venues a gorgeous place to enjoy cask beer and real cider or perry should rightfully be applauded. "I encourage heritage enthusiasts and pub lovers alike to visit these inspirational buildings." Click on the gallery above to see pictures of the Druid Inn.
Wales Online
a day ago
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The Welsh pub named among the best-looking boozers in the UK
The Welsh pub named among the best-looking boozers in the UK The pub has won the 'Refurbishment' category of CAMRA's Pub Design Awards 2025 The Druid Inn in Gorsedd has been crowned as one of the best pubs in the UK after it won the 'Refurbishment' category of CAMRA'S Pub Design Awards 2025 (Image: Druid Inn ) A pub in Wales has been officially crowned one of the most beautiful in the UK. The Druid Inn in Gorsedd near Holywell has won the 'Refurbishment' category of CAMRA's Pub Design Awards 2025. The competition celebrates some of the most visually stunning, historically significant and "lovingly" restored pubs across the UK. In its category, Druid Inn was praised for its "extensive yet thoughtful renovation", with the judges praising the pub for its "cosy nook and crannies, a welcoming central bar, comfortable seating, quirky artwork, soft lighting, roaring fireplaces and a private dining room". In June 2023, the pub was closed by Thwaites Brewery but it later emerged it had been snapped up by Pub Limited - a group run by Jerry Brunning, who started Brunning and Price (B&P) with Graham Price in the late 1980s. B&P became a roaring success with pubs in the north Wales and Cheshire area, and the pair later sold their shares to the Restaurant Group. The Druid reopened in March 2024 following a major renovation. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . The Druid Inn in Gorsedd near Holywell has won the 'Refurbishment' category of CAMRA's Pub Design Awards 2025 (Image: Druid Inn ) Article continues below Now, the pub is a popular venue in the Flintshire area, open seven days a week and serving food from 12pm daily. Its menu serves pub classics such as steak and ale pie, fish and chips and burgers, alongside international dishes such as shakshuka, wild garlic gnocchi and crispy hoisin duck pancakes. The inn is opened seven days a week (Image: Druid Inn ) The Welsh pub joins other worthy winners for the CAMRA awards this year, including pubs in Staffordshire, London, Surry and Herefordshire. The Peasant's Tavern in North Walsham, Norfolk narrowly missed the top spot to The Druid Inn but was highly commended in the 'Refurbishment' category. In its category, Druid Inn was praised for its "extensive yet thoughtful renovation", with the judges praising the pub for its "cosy nook and crannies" (Image: Druid Inn ) Andrew Davison, Chair of the Pub Design Awards judging panel, said: "The Pub Design Awards recognise the highest standards of pub architecture, rewarding artistic flair and painstaking historical conservation. "From inviting streetcorner locals to striking medieval coaching inns, there are some stunning pubs in the UK, and the craftmanship involved in making these venues a gorgeous place to enjoy cask beer and real cider or perry should rightfully be applauded. "I encourage heritage enthusiasts and pub lovers alike to visit these inspirational buildings." The Welsh pub joins other worthy winners for the CAMRA awards this year, including pubs in Staffordshire, London, Surry and Herefordshire (Image: Druid Inn ) Gary Timmins Chair of CAMRA's Awards Committee added: "This year's awards are tinged with sadness, as one of our winners, the Python's Arms, has had to make the heart-breaking decision to close its doors for good. "Due to the financial pressures facing all pubs across the UK, the local community has lost what should have been a valuable new social hub for generations to come. The competition celebrates some of the most visually stunning, historically significant and "lovingly" restored pubs across the UK (Image: Druid Inn ) "Within just a year from being converted into a beautiful pub, this rapid closure should be ringing alarm bells. "Real action is needed to support the pub industry, otherwise we will lose many more locals in the near future." Article continues below
