Britain’s most attractive pubs have been revealed – including a 17th century former butchers and a 150-year-old establishment saved by the local community.
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has announced the victors of its prestigious Pub Design Awards, which reward best new builds, conversions, conservations and refurbishments.
Taking home the top spot for best refurbishments was the The Farmers Arms, in Woolfardisworthy, Devon, which has been a public house for much of its 300-year life, and the Peterborough Arms, in Dauntsey Lock, Wiltshire, which started out as a farmhouse in the late 18th Century.
Best new build was awarded to the Hall & Woodhouse in Swindon, which showcases canal-side luxury, while the Plau in Preston claimed the Conversion Award, having originally been built in 1668 as a butchers.
The Zetland in Middlesbrough won the Historic England Conservation Award after its owners painstakingly restored the former 19th century hotel in 2017, and the Shakespeare in Bridgnorth, ‘a tap-house with beer truly at its heart’, was given the Joe Goodwin Award for best street-corner local.
CAMRA is encouraging people to enjoy the winning sites virtually amid the UK’s lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic. Here, FEMAIL brings you a look at the Pub Design Awards winners…
Canal-side luxury at the Hall & Woodhouse in Swindon – New Build Award
Built as part of a housing expansion, the Hall & Woodhouse (pictured) in Swindon occupies a prominent canal-side site in the town centre and is thought to be an important asset for the emerging community
Inside, guests are treated to a juxtaposition of industrial structure and soft furnishings, with walls adorned with boatbuilding, family and brewing heritage images (pictured)
Andrew Davison, chair of CAMRA’s Pub Design Award judging panel, said: ‘The New Build award is only awarded rarely, so it is a testament to the quality of the Hall & Woodhouse Wichelstowe (pictured, inside) that it has won!’
The form of the building looked to reflect the architectural heritage of industrial Swindon, adding open trussed roofs to mimic that of the train sheds and warehouses that used to fill the town (pictured)
Built as part of a housing expansion, the Hall & Woodhouse in Swindon occupies a prominent canal-side site in the town centre and is thought to be an important asset for the emerging community.
The form of the building looked to reflect the architectural heritage of industrial Swindon, adding open trussed roofs to mimic that of the train sheds and warehouses that used to fill the town.
Inside, guests are treated to a juxtaposition of industrial structure and soft furnishings, with walls adorned with boatbuilding, family and brewing heritage images.
Andrew Davison, chair of CAMRA’s Pub Design Award judging panel, said: ‘The New Build award is only awarded rarely, so it is a testament to the quality of the Hall & Woodhouse Wichelstowe that it has won!
‘Mackenzie Wheeler Architects, the designers of the building, have drawn inspiration from the location, with a range of gabled roofs at the water’s edge evoking the canal side sheds which housed many a traditional boat-building and repairing business, and a taller accommodation block referencing historic canal side warehouses.
‘The commitment Hall & Woodhouse make to individual, location-specific design is praiseworthy.’
17th century butcher’s shop turned pub, the Plau in Preston – Conversion Award
Originally built in 1668 as a butchers shop, Plau (pictured left, recently) in Preston was converted into a pub in 1795 before closing in 1913 (pictured right). It finally reopened as a pub after a gap of 105 years in 2018
In 2015, it was bought by Jeremy Rowlands, the owner of the Continental and Ferret pubs, who restored the building to its former glory – including bare wood floors (pictured), dark timber panelling on the walls and a marble topped bar
The Northern pub in Lancashire has two floors, with the basement offering a cosy, warm atmosphere and the ground floor (pictured) boasting a sophisticated dining area
Originally built in 1668 as a butcher’s shop, Plau in Preston was converted into a pub in 1795 before closing in 1913. It finally reopened as a pub after a gap of 105 years in 2018.
The building was constructed by the Chorley family in 1668 on the site of a previous unknown building. They were butchers and haberdashers by trade and it is thought that the building started life as a butchers shop.
At some point during the next 100 years the building became a public house, with the first written records of its existence being the bribes paid in The Plough Inn, which was the pub’s original name, during the 1795 election to elect Lord Derby.
The Plough Inn continued to trade throughout the 19th century and had a varied and colourful history, gaining a reputation as an unruly house. It finally closed as a pub in 1913 before being used as a shop.
In 2015, the structure was bought by Jeremy Rowlands, the owner of the Continental and Ferret pubs, who restored the building to its former glory – including bare wood floors, dark timber panelling on the walls and a marble topped bar.
Former hotel, The Zetland, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire – Historic England Conservation Award
Originally built in 1860 as a hotel, The Zetland (pictured) in Middlebrough, North Yorkshire, was painstakingly restored in 2017 – which even included sourcing custom-made tiles from the very firm that created them over 120 years ago
The pub (pictured) was given the award, which is sponsored by Historic England, thanks to conserving original features while carrying out changes ‘which gave it a viable future as sympathetically as possible’
Following the renovation (pictured right), it retains its remarkable display of round-arched mirrors and mosaic flooring in the entrance – plus hidden under a false ceiling, an eye-catching tiled artwork has now been exposed. Pictured left: The pub before the restoration
Originally built in 1860 as a hotel, The Zetland in Middlebrough, North Yorkshire, was painstakingly restored in 2017 – which even included sourcing custom-made tiles from the very firm that created them over 120 years ago.
Following the renovation, it retains its remarkable display of round-arched mirrors and mosaic flooring in the entrance – plus hidden under a false ceiling, an eye-catching tiled artwork has now been exposed.
The pub was given the award, which is sponsored by Historic England, thanks to conserving original features while carrying out changes ‘which gave it a viable future as sympathetically as possible.’
Andrew Davison added: ‘At the Zetland, owners Philip and Joanna Christie have carried out a careful refurbishment of a magnificent late Victorian building, which had become rather run down in recent years before closing altogether in 2015.’
Former farmhouse, The Peterborough Arms in Dauntsey Lock, Wiltshire – Refurbishment Award, joint winner
The Peterborough Arms (pictured, the interior) in Dauntsey Lock, Wiltshire, started out as a farmhouse in the late 18th Century before being turned into a pub
In 2013, it was placed on the market, with planning permission for it to be turned into a private house – but as this pub (pictured recently) was only one of two left along the Wilts & Berks Canal, the local Wilts & Berks Canal Trust applied for ownership
After some months of negotiations and a fundraising drive amongst Wilts & Berks Canal Trust members, the pub was transferred to the group in mid-2014. Six volunteers started the restoration in 2015, with the team growing in numbers as the refurbishment continued, until in late 2018 the pub (pictured) reopened
The Peterborough Arms in Dauntsey Lock, Wiltshire, started out as a farmhouse in the late 18th century before being turned into a pub.
In 2013, it was placed on the market, with planning permission for it to be turned into a private house – but as this pub was only one of two left along the Wilts & Berks Canal, the local Wilts & Berks Canal Trust applied for ownership.
After some months of negotiations and a fundraising drive amongst Wilts & Berks Canal Trust members, the pub was transferred to the group in mid-2014.
Six volunteers started the restoration in 2015, with the team growing in numbers as the refurbishment continued, until in late 2018 the pub reopened. It now has a reputation for good ales, food and attentive staff.
The Farmers Arms, a 300-year-old pub in Woolfardisworthy, Devon – Refurbishment Award, joint winner
Having served as a public house for much of the building’s 300-year life, The Farmers Arms’ new owners have restored the pub to its former glory, retaining its unique character, according to CAMRA. Pictured top: The building before the renovation, and bottom, the pub after the project had been completed
The historic layout (pictured) was retained in refurbishment and restored in areas where the team removed modern additions
Having served as a public house for much of the building’s 300-year life, The Farmers Arms’ new owners have restored the pub to its former glory, retaining its unique character, according to CAMRA.
The historic layout was retained in refurbishment and restored in areas where the team removed modern additions. They also re-established the original entrances, even though one is only five foot high.
Andrew Davison said: ‘After purchasing this Grade II listed building, owners Michael and Xochi Birch commissioned Jonathan Rhind Architects to repair and update the near-derelict pub, a very simple vernacular building, without grand fixtures or fittings.
‘They saw that its value lies in its historic fabric, its traditional materials, and its contribution to the streetscape. The result is a pub which is once again at the centre of village life.’
The Shakespeare, Bridgnorth – Joe Goodwin Award for best street-corner local
The Shakespeare (pictured) in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, is said to be a tap-house with beer truly at the heart, with preserved log burners and bespoke stained-glass windows adding to the pub’s character
Work on the pub was started in September 2017, with the project hoping to give the tired-looking Shakespeare its character and warmth back. One way in which the renovation did this was by preserving the log burners already in place (pictured)
Andrew Davison said: ‘Sited at the heart of a historic market town, this is a pub (pictured) for meeting friends and acquaintances, for indulging in conversation and laughter, or just for watching the world go by’
The Shakespeare in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, is said to be a tap-house with beer truly at the heart, with preserved log burners and bespoke stained-glass windows adding to the pub’s character.
Work on the pub was started in early September 2017, with the project hoping to give the tired-looking Shakespeare its character and warmth back.
One way in which the renovation did this was by preserving the log burners already in place and ensuring they were focal points throughout the pub. The addition of bespoke stained-glass windows also added to the character of the structure.
Andrew Davison said: ‘Sited at the heart of a historic market town, this is a pub for meeting friends and acquaintances, for indulging in conversation and laughter, or just for watching the world go by.
‘The late CAMRA Chairman, for whom this award is named, was a great enthusiast for, and champion of, pubs such as this, and it is a worthy winner of the award named in his memory.’