Country pub less than an hour from Birmingham named among Britain’s ‘most beautiful’

A pub in a pretty market town less than an hour’s drive from Birmingham has been named among the most “stunning” in the country. CAMRA has announced the winners of its prestigious Pub Design Award for 2024.

The Campaign for Real Ale group has selected eight of the UK’s most beautiful pubs that feature the highest standards of architecture, renovations, innovative conversions or preservation of historic buildings.

The awards are judged by a panel of design and conservation experts, with categories ranging from best refurbishment to new build. The only Midlands winner was commended in the local community category and is just under an hour’s drive from Birmingham city centre.

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Located in the charming Shropshire market town of Broseley, the Pipe Makers Arms has been hailed as the ‘social hub’ of its community, offering attractive facilities for local groups including book clubs and even its own football team. The small but welcoming boozer reopened in 2022 under its new name, which pays homage to the area’s pipe-making heritage.

The pub has also undergone a careful refurbishment under Kerry Ford and now has two rooms, a lounge and a cozy, all full of character and a central bar serving three real ales along with craft beers. It came under new management in April and recent customer reviews have described it as a “lovely rustic bar” and a “great little pub” where “a warm welcome is guaranteed”.

CAMRA’s local community category is reserved for remarkably renovated street corner locals. Chair of the Pub Design Awards judging panel, Andrew Davison, said: “Once again, the Pub Design Awards judges had a tough job selecting the winners from the entries. Despite the pressures facing the hospitality industry, we are pleased to report that people are still prepared to invest time, money and resources in preserving buildings and upgrading them to meet the latest challenges.

“The Pub Design Awards recognize the high standards of flair and imagination that went into these projects and the ambitious craftsmanship involved in the repair and conservation work. Despite all that has come our way, we believe the pub has a key role in our communities and will continue to thrive as an institution.

CAMRA’s director of awards, Laura Emson, added: “It’s only right that the blood, sweat and tears poured into these pubs should be celebrated. I’d like to raise a glass to all these award-worthy pubs. We hope beer lovers across the country will seek out these stunning examples of how beautiful UK pubs can be if given the proper love and care that these much-loved venues truly deserve.”