Britain’s best pub revealed that went from boarded up to thriving haven – check if your local made the list

A PUB which was once boarded up and faced permanent closure has been crowned the best boozer in Britain.

The Bailey Head in Oswestry, Shropshire, was at risk of shuttering for good just nine years ago before being bought by a husband and wife team.

Today it was crowned Pub of the Year by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), one of the organisation's most prestigious awards.

The pub was recognised for its community and inclusion efforts, alongside its section of craft ales from independent brewers.

Over the years, it has produced a number of ales including a beetroot flavoured IPA and a separate pale ale to raise money for pancreatic cancer.

The Bailey Head had been failing under the ownership of a major pub company and was listed by CAMRA as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) to protect it from redevelopment.

It closed and was then bought by Duncan Borrowman and Grace Goodlad who chose to reopen the town centre pub.

Commenting on their win, Grace said: "From small beginnings nine years ago, we have taken everything one step at a time.

"Through COVID, slowly improving to the point where we now have twelve handpulls serving six cask beers and six ciders and perries, plus sixteen other draught lines."

Duncan added: “We have always had a policy of Everyone Welcome, any person should feel happy and comfortable coming in by themselves and enjoying a drink, either on their own or chatting to other customers."

The pair fought off competition from 20 other pubs across Britain.

That included three finalists, one of which was the Black Horse in Preston, a Victorian Grade II listed pub opposite the historic Preston open market.

Three B's, a micro pub in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, which focuses on stocking local Yorkshire-based beers, was also named as a finalist.

Finally, Little Green Dragon in Winchmore Hill in London was also a named as a finalist.

The latter opened in 2017 and sources cask beer from microbreweries and other independent brewers.

There were then a total of 17 pubs which were shortlisted, but did not make it into the final or win the crown of best pub.

You can check out the full list of finalists and pubs shortlisted on our interactive map below.

It marks the first time in two years that the Tamworth Tap in Tamworth, a town about 14 miles north of Birmingham has not won the achievement.

The Sun visited the award winning pub last year, which you can check out here.

It comes amid a challenging time for pubs and breweries with many buckling under the pressure or rising costs and low consumer spending.

Laura Emson, CAMRA Awards Director, said: "January can be an especially tough time for our locals, so please get out and visit them and provide the support that is so desperately needed for pubs across the UK."

OTHER UK HOSPITALITY HOTSPOTS

There are plenty of other top-rated restaurants across the UK that are worth trying out.

Jamaican restaurant Natty's Jerk has been crowned Uber Eats Restaurant of the Year 2024.

One of last year's finalists also included Soho Tavern, a gastropub in Park Road, Birmingham.

In the cosy interior, punters can enjoy British-Indian classics in front of a sports match.

Elsewhere, the British Indian Good Food Guide also revealed its top 20 Indian restaurants from across the UK.