The Bailey Head in Oswestry is the 2024 Pub of the Year
Overview
CAMRA’s Pub of the Year is the annual competition to find the very best pub in the UK. We’ve been highlighting the best pubs in the country since 1988, and the competition helps to showcase quality pubs around the UK that are worth seeking out and visiting. It’s all about finding the cream of the crop and the best place for you to enjoy a pint of cask ale. Some may also have good quality real cider or perry for you to sample.
The Bailey Head in Oswestry, Shropshire has been named the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) overall Pub of the Year for the first time. The pub is a rags-to-riches success story after the owners turned what was once a closed local into a haven for the local community.
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. Nine years ago, it was bought by Duncan Borrowman and Grace Goodlad who poured their knowledge and passion into transforming the pub.
Community and inclusion are at the heart of the pub, and it acts as a hub for locals to come together for good causes through events like their charity pub quizzes and live music. Aside from providing a welcoming atmosphere, the Bailey Head also boasts an impressive array of cask beer and cider.
Competition Structure
There are four stages to the competition:
1. Branch Pub of the Year
2. Regional Pub of the Year (some regions also hold intermediate rounds)
3. Super-regional Judging (to award finalists for the National Pub of the Year)
4. Final Judging (to award a National Pub of the Year)
The competition is organised and co-ordinated by the Pub of the Year Coordinator on behalf of the Awards Committee.
Full details of the formal procedure and assessment criteria is available as a download for members from the National site.
Pub-of-the-Year-Procedure-October-2024
Judging Procedure and Timetable
Branch Round
Branches can select their Pub of the Year based on a selection method that suits the branch’s area and circumstances. However, branches are advised to have processes and procedures in place that are impartial, transparent, and well documented in order to withstand any challenges to their result. They are also encouraged to use the national guidelines when selecting their winner.
Regional Round
Each Regional Round is organised by the Regional Director (RD) or their nominee. As with the branch round, it is up to a region how they select their winner but the national guidance must be used and it is advisable to have processes and procedures in place which are transparent, explainable and defendable so that the result can be defended should it be challenged.
Super Regional Round
The winners of each region are arranged by the organiser into four groups of four regional winners. Each RD is assigned a group of four pubs. These pubs can be judged either by the RD themselves or a representative, but all the judging must be done by the same person.
Final Round
The winners of each of the Super Regional rounds form the final four “Finalists”. Ideally, the judges selected will cover a number of categories including:-
• A member of the National Executive
• A Regional Director
• A member under the age of 30
The judges will include both male and female members who are experienced pub campaigners with full knowledge and understanding of the selection criteria and how they should be applied. There will also be a mix of people who have judged the final stage regularly and some who have not.
Competition Timetable
Usually the timescale is:-
• Branch Pub of the Year – deadline of mid-March
• Regional Pub of the Year – deadline of end of July
• Super-regional Judging – deadline of end of September
• Final Judging – deadline of end of December
Previous Winners for Nottingham, Nottinghamshire & East Midlands
Nottingham Branch Pub of the Year winners
Since 2016 there have been two categories, the urban area and the villages area. There is still an overall winner. In 2025 the overall winner that went through to the Nottinghamshire round was The Horse & Jockey, Stapleford. This is the 5th year in a row that the “Jockey” has achieved this award, with the cancelled event in 2021 due to Covid.
Please click on the following link to download the full list of winners & runners-up since 2004!
Nottingham CAMRA Pub of the Year Winners 2025
Nottinghamshire CAMRA Pub of the Year winners
Since 2004 the winners of this round go through to the East Midlands Regional round. In 2024 The Horse & Jockey, Stapleford won this award for the 4th year running.
Please click on the following link to download the full list of winners & runners-up since 2004!
Nottinghamshire-CAMRA-Pub-of-the-Year-winners 2024
East Midlands CAMRA Pub of the Year winners
Since 2004 the winners of this round go through to the East Midlands Regional round. In 2024 The Horse & Jockey, Stapleford won this award for the 4th year running.
Please click on the following link to download the full list of winners & runners-up since 2004!
