Latest news with #PubDesignAwards2025
Leader Live
2 days ago
- Business
- Leader Live
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.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Britain's most beautiful pubs 2025 from historic beer houses to cosy village bars
SIX of the best-looking pubs have been revealed in the UK, including new modern wonders as well as historic beer houses. The Pub Design Awards 2025, created by Campaign for Real Ale's (CAMRA), looks at hundreds of drinking establishments around the UK. Advertisement 6 The UK's best-looking pubs have been revealed Credit: Camra 6 bod Lichfield was named the best new pub Credit: Camra The awards also works with design and conservation experts alongside Historic England . Andrew Davison, Chair of the Pub Design Awards judging panel, said the awards "recognise the highest standards of pub architecture, rewarding artistic flair and painstaking historical conservation." He added: "From inviting street corner 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." The best new build pub - meaning any that were built in 2024 - was bod Lichfield in Stratford. Advertisement Read more on pubs The "industrial chic design" with "recycled wood, distressed paintwork, quirky light fittings and exposed ceiling pipes," were praised. It comes after the bod Alsager in Cheshire was named one of the best by CAMRA last year. However for a more authentic pub, the Historic England Conservation award (which preserves many of the features) was given to Swan in Suffolk. Dating back to the 17th century, a new conservatory bar has been added, while many of the Grade-II listed timber frames have been restored. Advertisement Most read in News Travel Exclusive One person wrote on Tripadvisor: "Love this place. The refurb has just added to just how wonderful this place is." When it comes to the best refurbished pub, the Druid Inn in Wales was given the top spot , after it was restored and reopened last year. Pub With A 'Floating' Beer Garden By The Beach 6 The Python Arms has sadly since closed Credit: Camra 6 Swan in Suffolk was given a top award Credit: Camra Advertisement Lots of previous guests called it a "gem" of a pub and praised the staff as well. Sadly, one of the joint winning pubs has since had to close for good. Two pubs were named the best when it comes to converted pubs, one being Borough Beer House in Surrey. Once a Bailiffs Hall, dating back to the 1600s, has renovated it and turned it into a pub. Advertisement 6 The Swan has a great outdoor area as well Credit: Camra However, the Python's Arms in Herefordshire was praised for being a converted farm building. The owners, who had run the pub for nine years, cited financial difficulties. Sadly it has since had to close, with Gary Timmins Chair of CAMRA's Awards Committee adding: "Within just a year from being converted into a beautiful pub, this rapid closure should be ringing alarm bells. Advertisement "Real action is needed to support the pub industry, otherwise we will lose many more locals in the near future .' Full list of the UK's best-looking pubs Best new build Winner: bod Lichfield , Staffordshire Best Historic England Conservation Winner: Swan , Stratford St Mary, Suffolk Best conversion to pub use Joint winner: Borough Beer House, Farnham, Surrey Joint winner (now closed): Python's Arms, Lyonshall, Herefordshire Best refurbishment Winner: Druid Inn, Gorsedd, Wales Commended: Peasants' Tavern , North Walsham, Norfolk Best community local Winner: Forester, West Ealing, London The community local winner pub was Forester in West Ealing, London. Here are the 6 The Druid Inn in Wales was praised for its refurbishment Credit: Camra Advertisement
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Britain's most beautiful pubs 2025 from historic beer houses to cosy village bars
And the award-winning pub that has since closed down DRINK IT IN Britain's most beautiful pubs 2025 from historic beer houses to cosy village bars SIX of the best-looking pubs have been revealed in the UK, including new modern wonders as well as historic beer houses. The Pub Design Awards 2025, created by Campaign for Real Ale's (CAMRA), looks at hundreds of drinking establishments around the UK. 6 The UK's best-looking pubs have been revealed Credit: Camra 6 bod Lichfield was named the best new pub Credit: Camra The awards also works with design and conservation experts alongside Historic England. Andrew Davison, Chair of the Pub Design Awards judging panel, said the awards "recognise the highest standards of pub architecture, rewarding artistic flair and painstaking historical conservation." He added: "From inviting street corner 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." The best new build pub - meaning any that were built in 2024 - was bod Lichfield in Stratford. The "industrial chic design" with "recycled wood, distressed paintwork, quirky light fittings and exposed ceiling pipes," were praised. It comes after the bod Alsager in Cheshire was named one of the best by CAMRA last year. However for a more authentic pub, the Historic England Conservation award (which preserves many of the features) was given to Swan in Suffolk. Dating back to the 17th century, a new conservatory bar has been added, while many of the Grade-II listed timber frames have been restored. One person wrote on Tripadvisor: "Love this place. The refurb has just added to just how wonderful this place is." When it comes to the best refurbished pub, the Druid Inn in Wales was given the top spot , after it was restored and reopened last year. Pub With A 'Floating' Beer Garden By The Beach 6 The Python Arms has sadly since closed Credit: Camra 6 Swan in Suffolk was given a top award Credit: Camra Lots of previous guests called it a "gem" of a pub and praised the staff as well. Sadly, one of the joint winning pubs has since had to close for good. Two pubs were named the best when it comes to converted pubs, one being Borough Beer House in Surrey. Once a Bailiffs Hall, dating back to the 1600s, has renovated it and turned it into a pub. 6 The Swan has a great outdoor area as well Credit: Camra However, the Python's Arms in Herefordshire was praised for being a converted farm building. The owners, who had run the pub for nine years, cited financial difficulties. Sadly it has since had to close, with Gary Timmins Chair of CAMRA's Awards Committee adding: "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.' Full list of the UK's best-looking pubs Best new build Winner: bod Lichfield, Staffordshire Best Historic England Conservation Winner: Swan, Stratford St Mary, Suffolk Best conversion to pub use Joint winner: Borough Beer House, Farnham, Surrey Joint winner (now closed): Python's Arms, Lyonshall, Herefordshire Best refurbishment Winner: Druid Inn, Gorsedd, Wales Commended: Peasants' Tavern, North Walsham, Norfolk Best community local Winner: Forester, West Ealing, London The community local winner pub was Forester in West Ealing, London. Here are the winning pubs last year.
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
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
