As announced in the last edition, CAMRA’s 2023 Pub of the Year for Greater London is the Hope in Carshalton. In 2010 the pub was under threat but rescue came in the shape of a consortium of customers (48 West Ltd). Originally they had a lease from Punch Taverns but, in 2015, they were able to purchase the freehold. 48 West Ltd have since invested heavily in improvements, such as new toilets in 2018. During this time the Hope has been CAMRA Croydon & Sutton branch’s Pub of the Year every year bar one and has gone on to win the London Regional award six times. The pub is free of tie and is run ‘by beer enthusiasts for beer enthusiasts’. It serves two regular cask beers plus five guests, which have a remarkable rapid turnover! A range of craft keg beers is also available. The Hope does not have fruit machines, TV or music but it does have regular beer festivals. The pub is a short walk from Carshalton station (Southern and Thameslink services).
Greater London is one of 16 regions in CAMRA’s organisation. Below you will find the winners from the other 15 regions, in alphabetic order of region. Pubs cannot nominate themselves for these awards, no fees are payable and all of the judging is carried out by CAMRA volunteers to the same agreed specifications. Further judging now takes place, with a final four to be announced in October. The overall winner will be announced in early 2024.
Andrea Briers, the national coordinator for the competition, commented, “I am delighted to announce this year’s final 16 pubs. I would like to congratulate each and every one of them for their hard work against a difficult backdrop for the trade with increasing energy costs, business rates and the cost-of-living crisis impacting on people visiting pubs. It is testament to the winners that they are facing these challenges head on and they are a shining example to what can be done. I would also like to thank their loyal customers who continue to support them in these difficult times. There are thousands of amazing pubs across the country and I would encourage everyone to visit their local and seek out others where they live. Not only will that support local businesses but pubs play a vital part in communities which we want to both protect, promote and see them thrive.”
- Central Southern: Butchers Arms, Balscote OX15 6JQ
- East Anglia: Endeavour, Chelmsford CM2 6AW
- East Midlands: Horse & Jockey, Stapleford NG9 8AA
- Greater Manchester: Fox & Pine, Oldham OL1 1AD
- Kent: Nelson Arms, Tonbridge TN9 1UP
- Merseyside & Cheshire: Turks Head, St Helens WA10 2DQ
- North East: Grey Horse, Consett DH8 6NE
- Scotland & Northern Ireland: Hillend Tavern, Dalgety Bay KY11 9ND
- South West: Halfway House, Pitney, Somerset TA10 9AB
- Surrey & Sussex: Watchmaker’s Arms, Hove BN3 3RU
- Wales: Magic Dragon Brewery Tap, Wrexham LL13 8BT
- Wessex: Barking Cat Alehouse, Poole BH14 9BY
- West Midlands: Tamworth Tap, Tamworth B79 7LR
- West Pennines: Trafalgar Hotel, Ramsey, Isle of Man IM8 1DW
- Yorkshire: Beer Engine, Skipton BD23 1JD
Full details can be found on CAMRA’s WhatPub online pub guide (https://whatpub.com). If planning a visit, it is best to check opening times.