Category: Awards

Pub of the Month October 2025

Posted on by Dan Rowe

The Wellington on Shalesmoor is our Pub of the Month for October 2025. Built in 1839 and refitted in 1940, it has a 3 room layout with a beer garden to the rear. In September 2023 it was added to the South Yorkshire Heritage List, and also features as the cover image of the fifth edition of Sheffield’s Heritage Pubs.

The pub serves as a taproom for Neepsend brewery, which can be found regularly occupying several of its six hand pumps. Neepsend Blond is always available, with the rest of the lineup being at least one each of a pale, dark, stronger ale over 5%, and a bitter. The Wellington often has guest ales from breweries such as Bang the Elephant, Pentrich and Shiny. They have a good range of craft keg including four lines from Neepsend and a further four guest taps.

Every Tuesday at 20:30 is a pub quiz, and there are often whisky tastings which require advance booking. The Wellington offers a large selection of whiskies often with a featured whisky of the week. 

However, there is a final element of the Wellington’s popularity –  the sandwiches. The Wellington doesn’t offer hot food, but it does (while stocks last) offer giant pub-style clingfilm-wrapped sandwiches usually with potted meat, cheese & onion, or dripping – for £1. They’re mentioned in many online reviews, forums and social media posts – and in the nominations and votes for this award!

Join us for the PotM presentation at the Wellington on Wednesday 22 October at 20:30. 

Get there by tram (Shalesmoor) or buses 57/57a, 81/82 or 86.

We’ve now awarded a monthly PotM award for 3 consecutive months. If you have any feedback on the process so far feel free to get in touch at potm@sheffield.CAMRA.org. 

Nominations for awards are usually open after the first Tuesday in the month (Branch Meeting) and close on the 4th Tuesday in the month (Committee Meeting). You can nominate in person at meetings, via a committee member, or using the website.

CAMRA unveils top 16 pubs

Posted on by Andy Cullen

CAMRA has revealed the 16 regional and national winners in its Pub of the Year 2025 competition.

The shortlisted pubs have beaten thousands of entries to be crowned the best in their region or nation and will now battle it out for the chance to be named CAMRA’s overall Pub of the Year. The final four pubs in the running for the overall title will be announced in October with the winner revealed in January 2026.

With the Bank Holiday weekend approaching, CAMRA is encouraging people to get out and enjoy their local or seek out all of these great pubs for a quality pint in great surroundings.

Judges are looking for great atmosphere, décor, welcome, service, inclusivity, overall impression and, most importantly, quality cask beer, real cider and perry.

The 16 pubs have been recognised as the best of the best in the UK and their shortlisting for the competition is testament to their quality and commitment to their communities.

This year’s contest comes as many pubs across the UK face their toughest year yet. They face high costs, high costs, heavy tax burdens and crippling business rates. Pubs need sector specific support, including the reform of the business rates system, an extension of the draught beer and cider duty and a reduction in Employer National Insurance to help with staffing costs.

Andrea Briers, CAMRA’s Pub of the Year Co-ordinator said:

“It is a real pleasure to announce this year’s top 16 pubs, each of which has demonstrated exceptional quality, warmth and dedication to their communities. These pubs are shining examples of what makes the Great British pub so special, from perfectly kept pints to a genuine welcome for all.

“Achieving this in the face of rising costs and other pressures is no small feat, and we want to see these pubs, and thousands of others like them, continue to thrive. That’s why we’re calling on the Chancellor to give pubs a fair deal in the Autumn Budget, so they can keep serving their communities for many years to come.”

The top 16 pubs are:

  • East Anglia – Blackfriars Tavern, Great Yarmouth
  • East Central – Orange Tree, Baldock
  • East Midlands – Burnt Pig, Ilkeston
  • Greater London – Hope, Carshalton
  • Merseyside and Cheshire – Cricketers, St Helens
  • North East – Station House, Durham
  • North West – Cumberland Inn, Alston
  • Northern Ireland – Dog and Duck Inn, Lisbellaw
  • Scotland – Volunteer Arms (Staggs), Musselburgh
  • South Central – Bell Inn, Aldworth
  • South East – Royston, Broadstairs
  • South West – Hole in the Wall, Bodmin
  • Wales – Rhos yr Hafod Inn, Llanon
  • West Central – Pelican Inn, Gloucester
  • West Midlands – Tamworth Tap, Tamworth
  • Yorkshire – Beer Engine, Skipton

Pub of the Month September 2025

Posted on by Dan Rowe

The Red Lion Inn is a Grade II–listed public house located on the village green in Litton, Derbyshire. The building was converted from three miners’ cottages into a pub in 1787, and over 200 years later in 2024 it was taken over by Tomas and Kristina.

The property was added to the National Heritage List for England on 12 July 1967 in recognition of its architectural and historic interest.

The interior has a traditional layout, with small rooms, exposed stone walls, wood panelling, and open fireplaces. They also have two guest rooms which can be booked for overnight accommodation.

The kitchen offers a menu of traditional British dishes and operates daily, with a break in service during mid-afternoon Monday to Thursday.

Cask ales from Derbyshire and South Yorkshire breweries are regularly available – on our recent social we enjoyed beers from Acorn and Eyam. 

The Red Lion hosts quiz nights on the first Monday of the month, and other community activities which are advertised on their website and social media. It was previously named Sheffield & District CAMRA Pub of the Year for the Derbyshire area in 2023.

On 26-27 September they’ll be having their second Oktoberfest event with special beers, food and entertainment on offer. Check their social media for further information.

Join us for the award presentation at 3pm on Saturday 20 September. Bus 65 from Sheffield Interchange at 13:35 will arrive in Litton at 14:50. Litton is also served by bus 173 (Castleton-Bakewell).

We are now in our second month of ensuring we award a PotM 11 times a year. Thanks to those who nominated and voted on the September entries. Alongside our winner the Red Lion in Litton, we received nominations for Stables Bar (at the Monsal Head Hotel & Bar) and the Old Nag’s Head in Edale. Both are great pubs in our branch area that were considered worthy of nominations by members, so do pay them a visit.

Nominations are once again open until the Committee meeting on 26 August – you can nominate in person at meetings, via a committee member, or using the website.

Award presentations

Posted on by Andy Cullen

A handful of the Sheffield & District branch committee went along to the Old Hall Hotel in Hope on the evening of Tuesday 29 July to present their District Pub of the Year award, which was followed by their regular quiz and buffet.

Photographed is our Beer Matters magazine editor Andy Cullen presenting Rick Ellison of Atlantik Inns, who run the Old Hall as well as a number of other Peak District pubs.

The Old Hall Hotel features a real ale bar, restaurant, tea room and Bed & Breakfast accommodation. The bar is also known for its extensive whisky collection as well as their regular bank holiday beer & cider festivals.

The pub is a 10 minute walk from Hope railway station or buses 173 and 272 pass the front door and it is set among some beautiful Peak District scenery!

The team at the Harlequin led by co-owner Chris Bamford are photographed receiving our August Pub of the Month award from Sheffield & District CAMRA chairman Paul Manning.

The pub was also still celebrating a year under its current management and was also marking the impending departure of Ethan, who has been a key member of the team there since it reopened, presenting him with his leaving present!

in his speech, Chris also paid tribute to the late, great Wendy Woodhouse who had originally bought the pub and turned it from the Manchester Hotel into the Harlequin.

As of 1 August, when the Harlequin celebrated their first birthday, the bar had so far featured 269 different cask ales, 165 different keg beers and 66 different ciders. They serve food and have also hosted a number of events including a whisky tasting, sake tasting, tap takeovers, taco night and also host a weekly quiz night.

An enjoyable evening was spent at the Harlequin on the presentation night (and birthday party and Ethans leaving do!) with some great drinks and a buffet, thanks to the team for the hospitality.

If you fancy a visit the pub is walkable from Sheffield City Centre or Kelham Island; alternatively buses 7, 8, 75 and 75a pass the front door.

Regional pub awards

Posted on by Andy Cullen

CAMRA run a national Pub of the Year and Club of the Year competition, this begins with each local branch putting forward an entry into the county competition of which the winners go on to be judged in the national competition.

We entered two pubs – the Kelham Island Tavern went into the Yorkshire judging and the Old Hall Hotel into the North Derbyshire judging. Unfortunately neither were successful beaten by some rather stiff competition in the wider region!

Here are the winners:

EAST MIDLANDS PUB OF THE YEAR – The Burnt Pig, Ilkeston

EAST MIDLANDS CLUB OF THE YEAR – The Royal British Legion Club, Parwich

YORKSHIRE PUB OF THE YEAR – The Beer Engine, Skipton

YORKSHIRE CLUB OF THE YEAR – Wortley Men’s Club, Wortley

Pub of the Month August 2025

Posted on by Dan Rowe

The Harlequin, a pub with a history dating back to 1845, is located on Nursery Street in Sheffield, in the Kelham Island area of our branch. 

The pub has a large open-plan interior with a central bar, and seating across two levels. Historically, it was known as the Manchester Railway Hotel before, and in 2006 was renamed The Harlequin after a now-demolished Ward’s pub around the corner.

After closing in early 2024 it reopened In late July the same year under the ownership of Chris Bamford and Kate Major, who also run The Rutland Arms and The Crow Inn in Sheffield. A high quality renovation was completed prior to the reopening, which included interior and exterior updates, including a new green and red frontage to match the Harlequin character on the signage. The interior decor incorporates photos of Sheffield and the pub’s history. A brand new addition for summer 2025 is a pair of long benches on the pavement to the front of the pub, so with its rear courtyard the pub now offers two external seating areas. There is an upstairs room which can be used for private events.

The beer selection under the new management includes seven cask beers and three cask ciders, in addition to 12 keg lines and two keg ciders. The cask ale range typically features Kirkstall Bitter alongside a varied range of guests – Kernel, North Riding, Torrside and Big Trip are regularly seen. There is also a huge range of spirits, local mead, and a fridge full of cans and bottles of craft beer and cider.

There are regular live music nights which you can find advertised on the pub’s social media, and a quiz every Wednesday night at 8.30pm. 

Shortly after reopening the Harlequin introduced food at lunchtimes and evenings. There is a lunch menu of sandwiches, an all day menu including chip butties, burgers, fish and chips and vegan curries, and often specials available.

We are presenting Ethan, Lizzie, Chris, Oly, Isra and Theo with their award on 12 August at 8pm – join us there for a beer or two!

GETTING THERE: buses 7, 8/8a and 75/75a stop pretty much outside the pub.

Pub of the Year award presentation

Posted on by Andy Cullen

We presented our our overall Sheffield & District Pub of the Year award winner – the Kelham Island Tavern – with their certificate on Tuesday 8 July. A good turn out of CAMRA members and pub regulars enjoyed some excellent beer as our branch Chairman Paul Manning presented the certificates to Josh, Louise and the team. Complimentary pork pies and cheeses were enjoyed too! Congratulations on the well deserved award and thanks for the hospitality.

THE FULL LIST OF AWARD WINNERS

Overall Sheffield & District Pub of the Year – Kelham Island Tavern

District (Derbyshire) Pub of the Year – Old Hall Hotel, Hope

North Sheffield area Pub of the Year – Commercial, Chapeltown

East Sheffield area Pub of the Year – Oxbow micropub, Woodhouse Mill

South Sheffield area Pub of the Year – Brothers Arms, Heeley

West Sheffield area Pub of the Year – Rising Sun, Nether Green

City Centre area Pub of the Year – Bath Hotel

Kelham Island & Neepsend area Pub of the Year – Kelham Island Tavern

Cider Pub of the Year – The Old Shoe, Sheffield City Centre

Club of the Year – Crookes Social Club, Crookes.

Pub of the Month

Posted on by Guest

Pub of the Month

Since 1979 we’ve awarded pubs and bars that consistently serve good quality real ale in a friendly and comfortable environment.

At our recent AGM we agreed some changes to the nomination and voting process for Pub of the Month (POTM). These will be published in more detail on the website, but from now on we’ll be giving a POTM award 11 times a year – so you can expect to see one in each issue of Beer Matters. A POTM award will be given to the pub with the most votes each month.

How to nominate

You’ll have 3 weeks after a winner is announced to nominate a pub to win the next award, You can nominate using the form on the site, or in person at one of our meetings or events.

How to vote

A shortlist of nominees will be confirmed at the branch’s monthly committee meeting, after which you’ll have a week to vote.

Changes you’ll see

As we’ll have to work fast to get through nominations and voting within a month, you won’t see a list of nominees in Beer Matters. When the final list is available to vote on it will be published on the website, and members will also receive an email. Full guidance and rules will be published on the POTM page in the coming weeks.

Award presentations

Posted on by Andy Cullen

NORTH SHEFFIELD PUB OF THE YEAR – Commercial, Chapeltown

Our Kevin and the pub landlord! photo by John Beardshaw
The full team of staff along with our Kevin – photo by Phil Ellett

SHEFFIELD CITY CENTRE PUB OF THE YEAR – The Bath Hotel

Photo by Dan Rowe

EAST SHEFFIELD PUB OF THE YEAR – The Oxbow

The Oxbow, East Sheffield Pub of the Year presentation. Photo – Phil Ellett

ALL OUR ANNUAL AWARD WINNERS

  • North Sheffield Pub of the Year – Commercial, Chapeltown.
  • East Sheffield Pub of the Year – Oxbow, Woodhouse Mill
  • South Sheffield Pub of the Year – Brothers Arms, Heeley.
  • West Sheffield Pub of the Year – Rising Sun, Nether Green.
  • Central Sheffield Pub of the Year – Bath Hotel
  • Kelham Island & Neepsend Pub of the Year (and overall winner) – Kelham Island Tavern
  • District (Derbyshire) Pub of the Year – Old Hall Hotel, Hope.
  • Cider Pub of the Year – Old Shoe, Sheffield City Centre
  • Club of the Year – Crookes Social Club

South Sheffield pub of the year presentation

Posted on by Phil Ellett

Tuesday 13 May saw a number of CAMRA members join the regulars at the Brothers Arms in Heeley for the presentation of our South Sheffield Pub of the Year award. It was a very nice sunny evening so the outdoor drinking area – a hillside terrace with a fantastic view over the city – was packed with many taking part in the usual pub quiz night, which also features complimentary cheese and nibbles, with the pub having a lovely atmosphere. The certificate was presented by Paul Crofts, our beer festival organiser and branch treasurer to the management and team.

Of course, as you’d expect there was a great range of well kept ales on the bar too, with your editor enjoying several pints of the Pictish on the night!

Congratulations to all at the Brothers on your award and thanks for your hospitality!

photographs by Phil Ellet and John Beardshaw

All our Pub & Club of the Year award winners:

  • North Sheffield – Commercial, Chapeltown (to be presented on 3 June)
  • South Sheffield – Brothers Arms, Heeley (presented 13 May)
  • East Sheffield – Oxbow, Woodhouse Mill (to be presented on 10 June)
  • West Sheffield – Rising Sun, Nether Green (presented 16 April)
  • Central Sheffield – Bath Hotel, Sheffield City Centre (to be presented 29 May)
  • District (Derbyshire) – Old Hall Hotel, Hope (presentation still to be arranged)
  • OVERALL WINNER – Kelham Island Tavern, Kelham Island (to be presented 8 July)
  • Cider – Old Shoe, Sheffield City Centre (presented on 23 April)
  • Club – Crookes Social Club, Crookes (presentation still to be arranged)