Heritage Award winners: The Drewe Arms, Drewsteignton
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has announced the Drewe Arms in Drewsteignton, Devon, as the winner of the inaugural Heritage Award, and the Kings Head in Bristol as the Heritage Award runner-up.
The new Heritage Award is open to all pubs on CAMRA’s National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors. It recognises and celebrates the achievements of a heritage pub that has been revitalised in some way.
CAMRA’s very first Heritage Award winner is the Drewe Arms in Drewsteignton, Devon. Situated in front of the parish church in a picturesque Dartmoor village square, the 17th century inn has remained unchanged for 100 years. When the Grade II* listed pub closed in 2022, it was feared that the Drewe Arms would be lost forever.
The Drewsteignton Community Society formed and village locals came together to launch a fundraising campaign to re-open the pub under community ownership. The campaign was a huge success, raising over £550,000 in just six weeks with over 600 shareholders - the most ever raised for a community pub on the Crowdfunder platform. On 16 March 2024, the Drewe Arms opened its doors once again to the local community.
One of Devon’s oldest pubs, the Drewe Arms has an interior of outstanding national historic importance, being one of the few pubs left in the UK without a conventional bar, instead local beers are served straight from the cask, from stillage to hatch.
Glyn and Jane Martin on behalf of the Drewe Arms said:
“All those associated with the Drewe Arms: the pub team, the Drewsteignton Community Society and the near 600 shareholders will be thrilled to be the first holders of the CAMRA Heritage Award. CAMRA has recognised the very special qualities of the Drewe Arms for many years and has given its very welcome support to our campaign to buy and revitalise this historically and socially significant pub for the community.
“This award is a wonderful endorsement of the combination of an exceptional social tradition, an outstanding historic building and a community ready to back, support and volunteer to realise the project of re-opening the Drewe Arms as a vibrant community pub.”
The runner-up in the Heritage Award was the Kings Head in Bristol, which was restored by Good Chemistry Brewery. Shut since the Covid pandemic, the mid-17th century building has been restored to its former glory by the brewery in east Bristol, displaying real care and attention to detail in an extensive but sympathetic refurbishment. It is now reenergised and a recognised cask beer haven.
The Grade II listed pub boasts some of the oldest bar fittings in the whole of the UK, and a unique snug shaped like a tramcar, making the interior of outstanding national historic importance.
Kelly Sidgwick and Bob Cary, co-owners of Good Chemistry Brewing and the Kings Head said:
“The beautiful and historic Kings Head is the only Three Star rated Bristol pub on CAMRA’s Historic Pub Interiors list. We were incredibly proud to become its latest custodians at the end of 2022, undertaking a big renovation to restore the pub and allow its beauty to take centre stage, while honouring the listed building status of the venue. Alongside the restoration of the interior, we’ve also focused on establishing the reputation of the Kings Head as somewhere to find beers from the best independent breweries from around the country. We’re really pleased to have our work recognised with this award.”
Heritage Award Coordinator Paul Ainsworth said:
“When a pub closes, it is incredibly hard to open the doors again, with many losing the battle to conversion or demolition. That is why these awards are so important, the hard work and dedication shown by these campaigns to save local pubs deserve recognition. They are all inspirational stories, that will hopefully encourage more pub saving campaigns, so future generations can enjoy the wonderful sense of community that only a pub can provide.
“2024 marked the one-year anniversary of the wanton destruction of the Crooked House pub in Himley, serving as a grim reminder that pubs in the wrong hands can sadly disappear. January is a tough time for pubs, so please make sure to support your local and seek out beautiful heritage pubs across the UK.”
The pubs will be presented with the award at forthcoming events organised by the respective local CAMRA branches in early 2025.
Ends
Notes to editors
For photos, contact press@camra.org.uk
CAMRA has detailed guides and resources for anybody looking to save their local here: camra.org.uk/save-your-local-pub
More information about the Heritage Award can be found here: camra.org.uk/awards/heritage?selected_year=2024
Find out more about the Drewe Arms here: drewearms.org
More information about the Kings Arms here: goodchemistrybrewing.co.uk/pages/kings-head
Find out more about historic pub interiors and CAMRA’s Pub Heritage Group here: camra.org.uk/heritage-pubs
