THE 2024 UK pub of the year competition is hotting up – with a number of south west pubs in the running.

Finalists are being whittled down in the CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) Pub of the Year contest, with finalists from the UK’s nations and regions being selected.

Among them is the Crossways Inn, in West Hunstpill, which judges praised for its “huge selection of well-maintained drinks”.

“The Crossways Inn has fast gained a reputation for good food and outstanding choice of beer, becoming a must visit for those wanting a huge selection of well-maintained drinks,” they said.

“Located on the idyllic Somerset Levels, the 17th-century inn has several bar areas, boasting of nine handpumps and an ever-changing range of up to twenty five guest cask beers per week, plus a selection of real ciders and craft beers.”

The Crossways Inn is among 17 pubs to have been crowned the winner in their area, with judges scoring them on atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, inclusivity, overall impression, and the quality of live beer, real cider and perry.

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, with the winner announced in January.

Last year’s UK National Pub of the Year winner was the Tamworth Tap, in Staffordshire, which won the crown consecutively in 2022 and 2023.

Andrea Briers, national coordinator for the Pub of the Year competition, said: ”These amazing pubs really are the crème de la crème and I would encourage the public to seek out the 17 winners from across the nations and regions of the UK – they are top-tier pubs serving excellent beer, cider and perry, run by welcoming, hardworking staff.

“It’s also important to support your local all year round. With constant pressure from stubbornly high energy prices, fluctuating running costs and grossly unfair business rates threatening to drown pubs across the UK, it’s vital to get out and support the licensed trade.”

The 17 finalists in the CAMRA Pub of the Year 2024 competition are:

Central Southern: Bell Inn, Aldworth

East Anglia: Blackfriars Tavern, Great Yarmouth

East Midlands: Horse and Jockey, Stapleford

Greater Manchester: Northumberland Arms, Marple 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, Owestry

West Pennines: Black Horse, Preston

Yorkshire: Three B’s, Bridlington