Pictured above is the Bell inn, Aldworth. Photo by Bob Smith

CAMRA’s Pub of the Year 2024 competition is hotting up ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend, with the announcement of this year’s finalists from the UK’s nations and regions.

A total of 17 pubs have battled it out with thousands of pubs across the UK to be crowned the winner in their area. Pubs in the competition are scored on their atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, inclusivity, overall impression, but most importantly – the quality of live beer, real cider and perry.

The top 17 are:

• Central Southern: Bell Inn, Aldworth
• East Anglia: Black Friars Tavern, Great Yarmouth
• East Midlands: Horse and Jockey, Stapleford
• Greater Manchester: Northumberland Arms, Maple Bridge
• Kent: Nelson Arms, Tonbridge
• Greater London: Little Green Dragon, Winchmore Hill
• Merseyside and Cheshire: Turks Head, St Helens
• North East: Grey Horse, Consett
• Northern Ireland: Dog and Duck, Lisbellaw
• Scotland: Hillend Tavern, Dalgety Bay
• South West: Crossways Inn, West Huntspill
• Surrey and Sussex: Brickmakers Alehouse, Bexhill on Sea
• Wales: Cresselley Arms, Cressell Quay
• Wessex: Woodman Inn, Bridport
• West Midlands: Bailey Head, Oswestry
• West Pennines: Black Horse, Preston
• Yorkshire: Three B’s, Bridlington

The regional and national finalists will now compete for the UK National Pub of the Year award, with judges whittling the 17 pubs down to just four in late September.