4 Best Pubs In The UK – 2023

Where one drinks matters, along with the beer it can add or detract to the experience, that’s just the truth.

And now CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) one of the UK’s leading advocates for beer and the pub community has picked the four finalists for its “National Pub of the Year” competition, with last year’s winner in the running to retain the title.

CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year is the annual competition to find the very best pub in the UK. They’ve been highlighting the best pubs in the country since 1988. All the pubs in the competition are selected by CAMRA volunteers and judged on their atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, value for money, customer mix and most importantly – quality of beer.

And now (drum roll please) the four best pubs in the United Kingdom…

Nelson Arms, Tonbridge, Kent

Situated on a quiet street near the railway station, Nelson Arms is for many the first stop after work before they take the train home. It’s evocative and vibey and they offer six to eight beers and 15 real ciders, choices certain to provide some much-needed refreshment for the commute home.

“We’re delighted to reach the final of CAMRA’s 2023 Pub of the Year competition.” said Landlord Matthew Rudd, “It’s great for our customers, the team and the community as a whole,”

Tamworth Tap, Tamworth

Set in elegant building, home to Tamworth Brewing Company, the Tamworth tap offers cozy upstairs rooms with Tudor features, and its historic courtyard beer terrace to the rear affords striking views of Tamworth Castle. There is café-style seating to the front and eight cask ale hand pulls usually featuring one Tamworth ale as well as beers from near and far.

George and Louise Greenaway, owners of the Tamworth Tap, said: “We’re overwhelmed to have progressed to the final stages of this year’s CAMRA Pub of the Year competition. Achieving this for the second year running makes it all the more special.”

Trafalgar Hotel, Ramsey, Isle of Man

A long-standing real ale pub on the harbor in Ramsey, the Trafalgar Hotel pub, which usually serves four of its own beers plus from their friends, is now owned by Odin and. There are a number of unobtrusive TVs showing sports throughout the venue. Outside there’s a small area of wooden bench seating area with a dramatic harbor view. And did we mention it’s on the Isle of Man?

“With Steph the landlady and Nikki her daughter, who together run the Traf, we put a lot of effort into the cellar and beer management,” explained 0wners Rob Storey and Andy Pegge. “They run a great team, and we have very little staff turnover. It’s a real community pub and we do raise a lot for local charities!”

The Beer Engine, Skipton – Yorkshire

A well-established micropub on a tiny street between the Yorkshire town center and the canal, The Beer Engine offers a friendly and welcoming ambience. Six cask handpumps dispense varying beers, always including one blonde or pale ale and one dark brew, plus a character beer. A still cider and a fruit cider are also on tap alongside a selection of bottled beers, cans and wines.

“When we were voted Branch Pub of the Year for our area, it had never even crossed our minds that we might get further in the competition,” Adam Davies and Steven Gregory, Directors at The Beer Engine, said. “We just do what we do: serve a range of beer from breweries that we’d love to see if we walked into a pub.”

###

These four pubs will now have a chance to compete for the National Pub of the Year title, one of the highest honors afforded pubs in the United Kingdom.

(All image credits: CAMRA)