This Is Britain’s Best Pub Of The Year

A decade ago, The Bailey Head in Oswestry, Shropshire, was at risk of being shut for good. But local couple Duncan Borrowman and Grace Goodlad decided to buy it – and nine years on, the pub has just been voted best in the country in the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA)’s prestigious annual awards.

CAMRA Announces Pub Of The Year

Following the four finalists being revealed in October 2024, CAMRA has crowned The Bailey Head its Pub of the Year for 2025. Previously owned by Marston’s for over 200 years, the pub has been lovingly reimagined by Grace and Duncan, who saw the venue had potential, despite its poor reputation.

‘From small beginnings nine years ago, we have taken everything one step at a time, through Covid, slowly improving to the point where we now have 12 handpulls serving six cask beers and six ciders and perries, plus 16 other draught lines,’ said Grace. ‘When we bought the pub nine years ago it was failing and had been listed as an Asset of Community Value by the local CAMRA branch. That listing made it possible for us to save it from potentially becoming housing and turning it into the pub it is today.’

The Bailey Head offers an impressive collection of beer – the largest in Shropshire – alongside over 100 gins, plus whiskies, rums, vodkas and wines. Although the pub doesn’t serve food, visitors are welcome to bring their own, or order a takeaway, and dogs are more than welcome, with water bowls and free snacks available.

 

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The hotspot is known for its community feel, which is crucial to CAMRA’s panel. ‘Any person should feel happy and comfortable coming in by themselves and enjoying a drink, either on their own or chatting to other customers,’ says Duncan. ‘We thrive on being the heart of the community and a place where people gather to celebrate or commiserate.’

This isn’t the first time the pub has been recognised for its efforts: last year it was crowned CAMRA’s 2024 West Midlands Regional Cider Pub of the Year. But Grace described this award as ‘special’ – with CAMRA set to present them with a plaque today.

So how is the winner chosen? ‘You’re judged on your beer quality, and Duncan runs the cellar so that’s definitely down to him,’ Grace told the BBC. ‘But then it also looks at things like hygiene, the welcome you get from staff, staff’s knowledge…whether or not you’re involved in supporting the local community.’ The pair revealed they had around 30 visits from judges before winning the award, although they didn’t know it at the time.

‘The story of the Bailey Head, from humble beginnings, proves that any pub can become the best in the UK with some hard graft,’ commented Shrewsbury and West Shropshire CAMRA chairman David Ricketts.

Founded in 1971, CAMRA is a not-for-profit organisation centered around promoting real ale and community pubs. The Bailey Head takes on the crown from The Tamworth Tap, a micropub which has run the top award for the past two years.

Find out more at baileyhead.co.uk and camra.org.uk