Huntingdonshire

Campaign for Real Ale

Campaign for Real Ale

Pub Awards

CAMRA gives these annual awards to draw attention to pubs and clubs that operate in ways that CAMRA would wish to encourage - such as providing well-presented ranges of real ales of varied styles, high quality draught ciders, premises with atmosphere and style, good service and welcome, a good community focus and good value.

Awards in 2023


The following awards were announced by Branch Chairman Jez at the St Neots 'Booze on the Ouse' Beer and Cider Festival at the Priory Centre in March. Congratulations to all nominees and winners.


Branch Pub of the Year 2023

Winner: King of the Belgians, Hartford

The award was presented at the St Neots Booze on the Ouse Festival in March. Presenting the award was Booze on the Ouse Festival Organiser Chris, and accepting was the King of the Belgians Licensee Matt.

About the pub: A sixteenth-century multi-award winning pub in a picturesque village setting. This is a genuine community pub which offers an ever-changing selection of real ales, cider (up to ten from the local Cromwell Cider) and good value food every day including takeaway pizza and a traditional Sunday roast. Solid oak beams and a copper topped bar are features of the public bar and there's a separate dining area.

The range of community activities includes a monthly quiz night, pub games nights and open mic-style music nights on the 1st Monday of each month. Every second Thursday is BYO cheese night and there's a monthly themed food night

Look out for the annual beer festival at the end of May and a mini beer festival over August Bank Holiday weekend.

Having been the winners of the Hunts Branch Pub of the Year, the King of the Belgians goes forward into the Pub of the Year award competition for Cambridgeshire, including the winning pubs for Peterborough, Cambridge and Ely.


Rural Pub of the Year

Winner: Chequers, Little Gransden

The Rural Pub of the year award goes to a branch pub outside of the 3 urban areas of the branch. The nominations in 2023 were The Chequers, Little Gransden; The Three Horseshoes, Graveley; The Three Jolly Butchers, Wyton; Hare on the Green, Brampton; Eight Bells, Abbotsley. The Rural Pub of the Year award 2023 went to Chequers. The award was presented by local brewer Frank of the Wheatsheaf Brewery, to Chequers Pub Contact Roy on behalf of the Pub.

About the Pub: This village pub has been owned and run by the same family for over 70 years with 29 of those in the GBG. The unspoilt middle bar, with its wooden bench seating and roaring fire, is a favorite spot to pick up on the local gossip, along with a collection of decoy birds that seem to be gathering on the beam over the bar. When brewing the pub's 'Son of Sid' brew house brews for the pub and local beer festivals.

Urban Pub of the Year

Winner: King of the Belgians, Hartford

The Urban Pub of the Year goes to a pub in one of the 3 urban areas of the branch: Huntingdon, St Neots or St Ives. The nominations in 2023 were Nelson's Head, St. Ives; The Falcon, Huntingdon; The Ale Taster, St. Neots; King of the Belgians, Hartford; Black Bull, Godmanchester. The Urban Pub of the Year award 2023 went to the King of the Belgians, Hartford. The award was presented by local cider producer, to King of the Belgians licensee Matt.


Community Pub of the Year

Joint Winners: King of the Belgians, Hartford; Barley Mow, Eaton Ford

The Community pub of the Year is presented to the branch Pub voted to have been the most community focused. Activities such as supporting local charities and providing a community hub including hosting regular events. The nominations for 2023 were the Three Horseshoes, Graveley; King of the Belgians, Hartford; The Haywain, St. Ives; Hare on the Green, Brampton; Seven Wives, St. Ives; Barley Mow, Eaton Ford; Black Bull, Brampton. The Community Pub of the Year 2023 went jointly to the King of the Belgians, Hartford and the Barley Mow, Eaton Ford. The award was presented by Branch Beer Guide Coordinator Roy.

About the Barley Mow: The Barley Mow is a simple one bar pub. What makes it special, other than the excellent beer, is the customers: it's a true community pub, with a wide variety of activities focussed on the 'regulars', live music events and seasonal celebrations. Darts, crib and petanque teams play in local leagues. The decor is a mix of plaster, brick and wood panel and a long service counter dominates the centre of the bar. Images of past pub social events adorn the walls, some dating back to the early part of the last century.

Cider Pub of the Year

Joint Winners: Ale Taster, St Neots & The King of the Belgians, Hartford

The Cider pub of the year is awarded to the branch pub that is voted as the best cider pub, based on regular availability of real cider, kept and dispensed to a high standard. The nominations in 2023 were the King of the Belgians, Hartford; Simon's, Godmanchester; The Ale taster, St. Neots; The Crystal Ship, Earith. The Cider Pub of the Year 2023 was presently jointly to The Ale Taster and the King of the Belgians as the vote was a dead heat. The awards were presented by our Festival First Aider Nikki, to King of the Belgians Licensee Matt, and Ale Taster Licensee Paul.

About the Ale Taster: A traditional, small back-street pub operated in the style of a micro pub. Renamed by the enthusiastic new owners, was previously the Hog & Partridge. It features up to six changing beers, which are served from stillage behind the bar. Also available are upto nine real ciders and a perry. The owners source beer and cider from local producers as much as possible.

Three large fridges display a wide selection of bottled beers from around the world.

The pub encourages conversation, with quiet background music and no electronic machines. Traditional bar games can be played here. The owners are happy to chat about their beers.

Club of the Year

Winner: Comrades Club, Godmanchester

The Club of the Year award is presented to the Club voted to have been the best for supporting the ideals of CAMRA, offering a regular variety of real ale as well as offering a welcoming atmosphere and a service to the community. The Club of the Year award 2023 went to the the Comrades Club, Godmanchester. The award was presented by Branch Club Officer Alan to the Branch Secretary and Comrades Club regular John, who accepted the award on behalf of the Comrades Club. The award to then again presented to the Comrades Club owner by Branch Chairman Jez at the Comrades Club

About the Club: The Comrades Club (Working Men’s and Social Club) which started life in 1920 for the Comrades of the Great War, is a respected and established member in the Godmanchester community and is committed to providing members, their families and visitors with the very best facilities, services and entertainment options

Stocking local beers are well as some old favourites.

Once again, congratulations to all the winners of the Pub of the Year awards.

During every round of pub awards, there are special award considerations. These consist of Lifetime Achievement awards and Pub Champion awards. These are rarely presented, as they are meant to celebrate those individuals and groups that have made a signification contribution to Pubs and Real Ale & Cider. However, on this occasion we saw it fit to recognise an individual with one of these rare awards.


Lifetime Acheivement Award

Awarded to: George Cottam

A Lifetime Achievement award was presented to George Cottam, in recognition of the lifetime of dedication and support that Paul has given to CAMRA over a number of decades. George is a founding member of the Hunts Branch and has been involved with the branch since its inception. He is also a keen wildlife enthusiast and is a leading member of the Hunts Wildlife Trust, who have also been running the festival glasses stand for many years, and where George has been the glasses manager. This lifetime achievement award recognises the many years of support and hard work George has put in for CAMRA and the Hunts Branch.


Pub Awards from previous years:

Pub Awards 2022
Pub Awards 2020
Pub Awards 2019
Pub Awards 2018
Pub Awards 2017
Pub Awards 2015
Pub Awards 2014