The UK’s most visually stunning, lovingly restored, and historically significant pubs have been revealed by CAMRA.
The Woodman, in Digbeth, Birmingham. Photograph: James O Davies
CAMRA’s Pub Design Awards celebrate not only the UK’s best-looking pubs, but those which have been lovingly revamped or refurbished. There are also ambitious conversions, and buildings which have made a real difference to their community.
This year’s winners range from a deconsecrated church converted to a pub, to a careful and sensitive restoration of a historic heritage pub dating from the 1800s.
The awards shine a light on just how important pub architecture is, from ornate Victorian gin palaces to imaginative contemporary spaces. Run in collaboration with Historic England, the competition is judged by a panel of experts passionate about design and conservation.
“Despite the increasing pressure on the hospitality industry, people are still prepared to invest time, money, and energy into pubs and bars,” said Andrew Davison, chair of the Pub Design Awards judging panel. “The Pub Design Awards recognise the extraordinary amount of effort, the imagination and design, plus high-quality craftsmanship which have gone into all of these projects.
“In these troubled times, the pub still has a key role to play in our communities, and those who are working to conserve, repair and renovate them should rightfully be applauded.”
The winners
Historic England Conservation Award
Winner: The Woodman, Birmingham
Dating back to 1897, and falling into disrepair, owners Union Inns set out to carefully restore and protect the pub’s heritage features and multi-roomed layout. A new wooden floor has been laid, the historic Minton tiling walls (which culminate in the wonderful tiled rear smoke room) have been carefully cleaned and conserved, and the beautiful, ornate woodwork has been restored. Standing next to the Old Curzon Street Station, set to be re-opened as part of HS2, the pub will be an impressive first port of call for passengers.
Conversion to pub use award
Joint winner: Blue Stoops, London
A conversion of the former Kensington Wine Rooms by Relic Interiors and Box Construction, commissioned by owner Jamie Allsopp, has completely transformed the building. The interior has been re-imagined with half-height partitions and glazed screening, plus new fixed seating, along with a revamp of the exterior with new signage and lighting. The striking new ceramic bar front featuring the historic Allsopp’s trademark is a major highlight to this latest addition of West London’s pub scene.
Joint winner: St Peter’s Tavern, Liverpool
Formerly a Roman Catholic church built in 1788, owners 1936 Pubco described the impressive conversion as their greatest challenge to date. It involved opening up the spectacular galleried interior and restoring historic features and façade, along with the introduction of an impressive 20-metre-long bar counter formed from recycled courthouse furniture. New pew seating, glazing, and bespoke mirrors have been added, along with the creation of a courtyard garden.
Commended: Grand Assembly, Marlow
A conversion of a former retail unit into a pub by architects kdpa, commissioned by JD Wetherspoon. Inspired by pubs and grand assembly halls of the Victorian era, but with a modern-industrial twist, the interior has been broken up into discrete areas with Victorian styled screening, featuring bespoke, embellished tiling and huge empire chandeliers. The lighting, choice of colours, and carpets have all been inspired by Marlow’s links to the Thames and rowing heritage.
Refurbishment award
Winner: Leyton Engineer, London
Originally Leyton Town Hall, it was converted to a pub some years ago and has undergone an extensive refurbishment by Remarkable Pubs. The restoration of historic features such as glazed screens and the mosaic and terrazzo floors, plus the installation of a new bar back and brass chandeliers, have helped to create one of the most impressive pub interiors in East London.
Highly commended: European, London
Remarkable Pubs aimed to bring back the feel of a welcoming traditional pub to a building which had been stripped of most of its original features. The introduction of a traditional bar back, bespoke upholstered pew seating, and the careful choice of the paint scheme, both inside and out, have helped restore the aesthetic of a traditional Victorian pub, while the creation of an open kitchen on the ground floor has introduced a new focal point.
Highly commended: The Green Man, Huntingdon
Owners Andy and Lizzie Langridge took over a rundown building and have completely transformed it into a focal point for the village. The pub was in such poor condition, with many fixtures covered in mould, almost all the fittings had to be replaced, including flooring, lighting, seating, and bar shelving. An entirely self-funded renovation project, the two owners did as much of the work as possible independently, even painstakingly building the new oak panelling from scratch.
Commended: Duke of York, London
McMullen’s stripped the building back to its bare bones and fully refurbished it, including repairs to fix the pavement from falling into the cellar! The outstanding feature of the pub’s refurbishment is the highly impressive ceramic tiled bar counter, which acts as the main focus in the ground-floor bar.
Community Local Award
Winner: Lord Southampton, London
After being closed for a long time and in near-derelict condition, owners Aimee Brown and Phil Harrington took on the lease of the pub and made extensive repairs. The original floorboards and damaged wall-panelling were restored, the bar area was upgraded, and new hand-painted signage was commissioned. It now offers spaces for local groups to meet and is at the heart of its local community.
