22-04-2025
3 North Yorkshire pubs shortlisted for best in the county at national awards
Three pubs across North Yorkshire have been nominated in the National Pub and Bar Awards for 2025.
In total, 256 pubs and bars across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are among those shortlisted for a prestigious County Winner title.
The annual event, which returns later this summer, highlights an eclectic range of venues across the whole of the UK by naming 94 sites as the best in their respective counties.
The awards look at a number of elements that affect the customer journey, including marketing, digital presence, design, service, style of offer and investment.
In North Yorkshire alone, The Black Swan in Helmsley, The Black Swan in Ripon and The Plough in Wombleton have been revealed as the pubs battling to be crowned best in the county.
The Plough, located in the village of Wombleton, has been praised by customers on Tripadvisor for its 'fabulous' atmosphere.
Someone added: 'Very welcoming and beautiful and relaxed bar and restaurant.
"We ordered the Sunday roasts. The roast pork was outstanding, and the recommended wine for pairing was perfect with it.
"Can't wait to go back! Thank you.'
Meanwhile, The Black Swan situated in Ripon has been hailed for being a 'proper' pub by visitors.
This person wrote on Tripadvisor: 'Drinks are good and really cheap, dog friendly, which is a must for me and to there is always a good atmosphere.
'Sports fans are really well catered for with big TVS showing football, racing rugby.... I bet they'd even find the tiddlywinks World Cup if you asked nicely.
'Staff are spot on, really friendly, and the recent refit has transformed the place.'
Tristan O'Hana, editor of Pub & Bar magazine, which runs the National Pub and Bar Awards, said: 'The aim of the National Pub & Bar Awards is simple.
'We want to showcase how brilliant these businesses are and how valuable pubs and bars are to the fabric of society across the whole of the UK.
Have you been to any of these shortlisted pubs? (Image: Tripadvisor) 'It has never been harder in hospitality. Whether it's a countryside pub with rooms or a city centre bar showing live sport, these operations deserve widespread recognition and more customers – hopefully the National Pub & Bar Awards can help with both.'
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In a change to previous years, the 94 County Winners will be announced live at the event held at Big Penny Social in London on June 24, as well as Highly Commended venues for each area.
The awards night will also crown the Pub Group of the Year, Bar Group of the Year, The Tyrrells Tyrrellbly Good Taste Award and ultimately, the overall National Pub & Bar of the Year.
On top of that, the 2025 event will launch the Top 10 Pubs & Bars in the UK list, which has been voted for by hundreds of operators from across the country.
