Winners of the Pub Design Awards 2026 Announced
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has revealed the winners of its Pub Design Awards 2026, celebrating the UK's most visually stunning, lovingly restored and historically significant pubs. The awards, run in collaboration with Historic England and judged by a panel of design and conservation experts, feature several categories including the Historic England Conservation Award, Conversion to Pub Use Award, Refurbishment Awards, and Community Local Award.
The Woodman, Birmingham Wins Historic England Conservation Award
The Woodman in Birmingham won the Historic England Conservation category, which recognises 'constructive conservation' that carefully preserves a pub's historical architectural features while updating facilities to improve viability. Dating back to 1897, the pub was falling into disrepair before owners Union Inns restored it. CAMRA said: 'A new wooden floor was laid, the historic Minton tiling walls have been carefully cleaned and conserved, and the beautiful, ornate woodwork has been restored.' Standing next to the Old Curzon Street Station, set to reopen as part of HS2, the pub will be an impressive first port of call for passengers.
Blue Stoops and St Peter's Tavern Share Conversion Award
Blue Stoops in London, housed in the former Kensington Wine Rooms, and St Peter's Tavern in Liverpool, a former Roman Catholic church built in 1788, jointly won the Conversion to Pub Use Award. Blue Stoops was transformed by Relic Interiors and Box Construction, featuring a striking new ceramic bar front with the historic Allsopp's trademark. St Peter's Tavern, owned by 1936 Pubco, involved opening up the galleried interior, restoring historic features, and introducing a 20-metre-long bar counter made from recycled courthouse furniture.
Leyton Engineer Wins Refurbishment Award
Leyton Engineer in London won the top prize for refurbishment of an existing pub building. Originally Leyton Town Hall, it underwent an extensive refurbishment by Remarkable Pubs Ltd, restoring historic features such as glazed screens, mosaic and terrazzo floors, and installing a new bar back and brass chandeliers. CAMRA said these changes 'have helped to create one of the most impressive pub interiors in East London'.
Lord Southampton Wins Community Local Award
The Lord Southampton in London won the Community Local Award, reserved for outstanding conservation or refurbishment of street-corner pubs at the centre of the local community. It had been closed for a long time and was in near-derelict condition when owners Aimee Brown and Phil Harrington took over. Their work included restoring original floorboards, damaged wall-panelling, upgrading the bar area, and commissioning new hand-painted signage. The pub now offers spaces for local groups to meet.
Other Commended Pubs
Grand Assembly in Marlow was commended in the Conversion to Pub Use Award category. European in London and The Green Man in Huntingdon were highly commended in the Refurbishment category, while The Duke of York in London was commended in the same category.
Judges Praise Industry Efforts
Andrew Davison, chair of the Pub Design Awards judging panel, said: 'Despite the increasing pressure on the hospitality industry, people are still prepared to invest time, money, and energy into pubs and bars. The Pub Design Awards recognise the extraordinary amount of effort, the imagination and design, plus high-quality craftsmanship which have gone into all of these projects. In these troubled times, the pub still has a key role to play in our communities, and those who are working to conserve, repair and renovate them should rightfully be applauded.' Shelly Bentley, the awards committee chair, added: 'From striking Art Deco wonders to inviting street corner locals, there are some beautiful pubs across the UK. Next time you are enjoying a pint, take a second to marvel at the skill involved in making these stunning spaces.'
