The Kelham Island Tavern (62 Russell Street, Sheffield S3 8RW) is crowned National Pub of the Year 2008.
. The pub is also
Licensee Trevor Wraith bought the property in 2001 with the uphill task of turning a semi-derelict site with a damaged roof into an award-winning pub. After a number of repairs and a lot of hard work, the pub re-opened in March 2002. Trade boomed from day one thanks to a loyal community clientele, with the pub consistently successful in local CAMRA awards. In July 2007, the pub suffered horrendous flood damage to the pub floor and cellar, and was forced to close for 6 weeks. Trevor admits this closure was a blow, but not even he could predict the community's positive support for the pub on its re-opening.
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Central Southern
Royal Oak Inn, Wantage, Oxfordshire, OX12 8DF
Tel. 01235 763129, royaloakwantage.2ya.com
"Photographs of ships bearing the pub's name adorn the walls of this street-corner pub. The lounge bar features a wrought-iron trellis, largely hidden by more than 300 pump clips. The smaller public bar attracts a younger crowd."
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East Anglia
Chequers, Little Gransden, Cambridgeshire, SG19 3DW
Tel. 01767 677348
"A true village local with three distinct drinking areas, run by the same family for the last 58 years. The unspoilt middle bar, with its wooden bench seating and roaring fire, is a favourite spot to pick up on the local gossip."
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East Midlands
Arkwright Arms, Sutton cum Duckmanton, Derbyshire, S44 5JG
Tel. 01246 232053, arkwrightarms.co.uk
"A warm welcome is assured at this mock Tudor-fronted free house. The public bar is separated from the lounge by a horseshoe bar, with a separate dining room. All three rooms have cosy open fires and there is an excellent range of up to 10 ever-changing guest ales, three ciders and two perries."
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Greater London
Trafalgar, South Wimbledon, Greater London, SW19 2JY
Tel. 020 8542 5342, thetraf.com
"CAMRA South West Pub of the Year 2007, the Trafalgar is a homely, one-bar community corner pub- the smallest and oldest free house in Merton. A real ale haven, it provides six hand-pumps dispensing an ever-changing range of beers, often milds, from small microbreweries."
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Greater Manchester
Crown, Stockport, Greater Manchester, SK4 1AR
Tel. 0161 480 5850, thecrowninn.uk.com
"Local CAMRA Branch Pub of the Year 2008, the Crown is busy, especially in the evenings. A choice of around 16 ever-changing beers is usually available, often including Pictish and Copper Dragon plus other microbreweries and real cider. Four rooms radiate from the bar: two compact snugs, a large lounge with feature overmantel, and a pool room."
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Kent
Butcher's Arms, Herne, Kent, CT6 7HL
Tel. 01227 371000, micropub.co.uk
"The smallest pub in Kent, with space for about 12 customers ensuring that lively chat abounds. It contains the original butcher's chopping tables, plus hooks and other implements. At least four beers are cask-dispensed, alongside an ever-changing variety of guest beers and a takeaway service. A real-ale drinker's delight."
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Merseyside, Cheshire & North Wales
Blue Bell, Halkyn, North-East Wales, CH8 8DL
Tel. 01352 780309, bluebell.uk.eu.org
"Situated on Halkyn Mountain with spectacular views, this pub is a focal point for community activities including organised walks, games nights and Welsh classes. The house beer brewed by Facer's is accompanied by two guest beers usually from small independent breweries."
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North East
King's Arms, Deptford, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, SR4 6BU
Tel. 0191 567 9804
"CAMRA Branch and Regional Pub of the Year for the last two years, the King's Arms is a privately owned old-fashioned pub with an unspoilt interior. Nine handpumps offer an ever-changing range of beers from microbreweries from the North East and across the country, as well as real cider.'
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Scotland & Northern Island
Marine Hotel, Stonehaven, Grampian, AB39 2JY
Tel. 01569 762155, britnett-carver.co.uk/marine
"Scottish CAMRA Pub of the Year 2008, the hotel is situated on the picturesque harbour front, with an outdoor seating area for drinkers. Downstairs there is a simple wood-panelled bar, tastefully restored , and an adjacent lounge with an open fireplace. Dunottar Ale house beer brewed by Inveralmond is supplemented by an impressive range of up to five guest beers mostly from Scottish microbreweries, with some Southern imports, often from Timothy Taylor."
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South & Mid Wales
Tafarn John y Gwas, Drefech-Felindre, West Wales, SA44 5XG
Tel. 01559 370469, johnygwas.co.uk
"Originally a series of shops, this traditional village inn was built in the early 1800s. A locals" pub, there is always a friendly welcome for tourists- and their pets. Two real ales are on offer in winter, three in summer. Home-cooked food is available until 9pm every day, with a roast on Sunday."
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South West
Tom Cobley Tavern, Spreyton, Devon, EX17 5AL
Tel. 01647 231314
"Still riding high on the success of winning National CAMRA Pub of the Year in 2006, the pub attracts visitors from all over the country who come to witness the remarkable turnover of up to 22 ales at any one time, mainly on gravity. This 16th-century village inn always gives a warm welcome in the homely bar and spacious dining room."
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Surrey & Sussex
Royal Oak, Friday Street, Rusper, West Sussex, RH12 4QA
Tel. 01293 871393
"Free house gem attracting locals and visitors from further afield who are in the know. Seven handpumps dispense an ever-changing range of guest ales, mainly from local microbreweries, together with Thatchers Medium Cheddar Valley cider, plus another in summer. Community events include a pantomime horse race and special food nights featuring home-cooked food made with local ingredients."
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Wessex & Channel Isles
Red Lion Inn, Kilmington, Wiltshire, BA12 6RP
Tel. 01985 844263
"Originally a farm worker's cottage, this National Trust-owned pub is more than 400 years old. It is close to Stourhead House and Gardens, next to a coach road and the South Wiltshire Downs. The single bar is mainly stone-flagged with a real fire at each end and a smaller room to one side."
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West Midlands
Beacon Hotel, Sedgley, West Midlands, DY3 1JE
Tel. 01902 883380
"This classic, beautifully restored Victorian tap house and tower brewery is the home of Sarah Hughes ales. The heart of this atmospheric, popular pub is the small island servery with hatches. Off the central corridor is a traditional tap room with benches, a small cosy snug, a large main room and a family room with access to a well-equipped garden and play area."
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West Pennines
Manor Arms, Broughton-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA20 6HY
Tel. 01229 716286
"Friendly, family run traditional pub overlooking the village square. Six regularly changing guest ales come from far and wide, usually from microbreweries, often from locals. The bar area is covered in numerous certificates awarded over the years, including CAMRA Regional Pub of the Year. This is another of the magnificent seven pubs of the Broughton parish taking part in the Festival of Beer in November."
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Yorkshire
Kelham Island Tavern, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S3 8RW
Tel. 0114 272 2482, kelhamislandtavern.co.uk
"Sheffield CAMRA Pub of the Year 2003-2007 and Yorkshire regional winner in 2004 and 2007. An impressive ten permanent handpumps include two that always dispense a mild and a stout/porter, so you are sure to find something to quench your thirst. A visit in the warmer months enables you to sample the pub's multi-award winning subtropical beer garden- a true gem."
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The National Pub of the Year competition judges pubs all over the UK on their beer quality, atmosphere, décor, customer service, clientele mix and value for money.
The winner is chosen from four regional finalists (announced at the beginning of the year), which are in turn chosen from the 16 finalists listed above.