15 hours ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
Montgomery bar recognised among UK's best at national awards
A "mind blowing" bar in Powys, with top-quality food, has been recognised among the UK's best at a national awards ceremony.
The 2025 National Pub & Bar Awards took place on Tuesday (June 24), showcasing the finest establishments from across the UK.
Awards presented at the event included:
National Pub & Bar of the Year
Industry's Choice Award
Pub Group of the Year
Bar Group of the Year
The Tyrrells Tyrrellbly Good Taste Award
The best pubs and bars for each region were also revealed as part of the national awards.
'Pubs have really been struggling, so it's amazing for this event to shine a spotlight on pubs and show that they really are pillars of the community, the backbone of Britain.'
Here are all the winners from last night's National Pub & Bar Awards.
— Pub & Bar Magazine (@PubandBarMag) June 25, 2025
The 2025 National Pub & Bar Awards winners
The Bull, located in Charlbury, received the top honour, claiming the National Pub & Bar of the Year Award.
Other awards handed out at the event included:
Industry's Choice Award: The Devonshire
Pub Group of the Year: Camerons
Bar Group of the Year: Mr Fogg's
The Tyrrells Tyrrellbly Good Taste Award: The Tollemache Arms
While the best pubs and bars in each area of the UK were also revealed:
Best pubs and bars in Wales
Meanwhile, several pubs and bars in Wales were named the best in their respective counties:
Why The Checkers is among the UK's best
The Checkers, located in Montgomery, was named the county winner for Powys at the National Pub & Bar Awards.
It is a "handsome" Georgian former coaching inn run by Andrew and Rachel Birch.
The Checkers is already a highly decorated establishment, with a Rosette Award for Culinary Excellence and a Notable Wine List award from the AA just two of the accolades attained in the past 12 months alone.
It also features the 2025 Michelin Guide.
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It comes highly recommended by visitors too, with The Checkers boasting a near-perfect 4.8 (out of 5) rating on Tripadvisor from 591 reviews.
Not only is it a great place for a drink, but it also has the "best food ever", according to customers.
The UK's favourite takeaways
One person, commenting on Tripadvisor, said: "The food and wine pairing was mind blowing.
"We have eaten in many amazing places but this experience blew our mind and the carrots were just amazing.
"The resturant has a lovely fire place with such a nice homely feel and the service was beyond 5*.
"Its the small details that i also noticed, everything from start to finish was perfect.
"We stayed in the dafoldill room but to be honest I could have slept in the chair by the fire is was so lovely.
