192,559 CAMRA members
Menu

Pub Design Awards

  1. Home
  2. What we do
  3. Pub Design Awards

About the Award 

Our annual Pub Design Awards are held in conjunction with Historic England and recognise the highest standards of architecture in the refurbishment and conservation of existing pubs as well as in the construction of new ones in the UK. They are judged by a panel of experts in design and conservation.

Entries for the competition have been extended until 30 November!

Pubs across the UK can enter across five categories: New Build, Community Local, Historic England Conservation, Conversion to Pub Use and Refurbishment. The competition is free to enter and closes on 19 November. Please find the entry form below.

Brewpoint, Bedford

New Build

This category assesses newly built pubs. They might reflect its past or it could be completely modern.

Boleyn Tavern

Community Local Award (formerly the Joe Goodwin Award)

Named after the late CAMRA chair Joe Goodwin, the award is reserved for outstanding refurbished street-corner locals.

Coach & Horses, Barnburgh

Historic England Conservation

Sponsored by Historic England, this award is usually given for work which conserves what is good in the pub to ensure its future for generations.

Horse and Jockey, East Midlands

Conversion to Pub Use

For outstanding conversions of buildings which were built for other uses.

King's Arms, Dorchester

Refurbishment

Refurbishment can range from a complete gutting and replacement to enhancing the design of what was originally in the pub.

Nomination Form – deadline 30 November 2023

This application form is designed to be used by pub owners and others involved in designing and refurbishing pubs. We welcome nominations from CAMRA members and other pub-goers and accept that they may not have access to all of the information requested in the form. Please send us as much information as you can – some photographs of the interior and details of any pub website would be particularly welcome.

This information is available on whatpub.com
Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 20 files.
Please submit at least six high-res images of all public spaces including the interior and exterior (no more than two exterior images). Images of the interior are vital to giving judges a feel for the pub during the early stages of judging. Apart from new builds, all submissions should include photos from before the conversion / refurbishment work.
Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 5 files.
Please provide copies of the floor plans/elevations as approved by the local authority. Apart from New Builds, these should include plans prior to refurbishment / conversion work that was undertaken.
Please use this box to provide any additional information about the pub or building process that has not been covered in earlier questions.

Find the 2023 Pub Design Award winners below

Historic England Award for Conservation

Winner: Black Lion, London

A Grade II* listed property dating back to 1898, with fantastic interior décor –  a rich ceiling, original bar counter, island back bar, screen partition, etched and cut glass and very decorative cornice. 

Historic England Award for Conservation

Highly Commended: Spread Eagle, London

A lavish late-Victorian Young’s pub, rebuilt in 1898 during the great pub boom. It’s a landmark Flemish Renaissance-style three-storey building across the road from the former, much-lamented Young’s Brewery. Ground floor of polished granite with pilasters having decorative capitals and red brick upper storeys. The distinctive and attractive iron and glass canopy which projects from the main entrance across the street seems original. The interior gives a very good idea of what a classy late Victorian pub could look like with extensive expanses of etched glass which makes the place sparkle.   

Refurbishment Award

Winner: Cadogan Arms, London

Dating back to the 17th century, the restoration of the pub sought to recreate the lost early Georgian architectural details and ornate timber panelling of the original building.

Refurbishment Award

Highly Commended: The George, London

The intensive renovation of this pub pays homage to its history as a hub for the political, cultural and social movements of the late 18th century.  Behind the panelled bar counter is a magnificent five-bay back-fitting with etched and gilded mirrors with the sprays of flowers and foliage that were so popular with pub fitters of the day. The left-hand side of the pub has wood-panelled walls, more etched and gilded mirrors, and delightful ceramic panels. The rear is fully panelled to the ceiling and decorated with mirrors and tiles with beautifully realised painted hunting dogs and a stag.

New Build Award 

Winner: Strawberry Thief, Swindon

This large single storey building is a flagship house of Swindon brewer, Arkell’s. It is the brewer’s newest and largest pub, opening in June 2022 in celebration of the Queen’s 70 years on the throne. It is modern in every respect and has a huge outside patio area. 

The Community Local Award (formerly the Joe Goodwin Award)

Winner: Gordon Arms, Bedford

A neighbourhood hangout which offers great beer, tasty food and friendly service. The pub reopended following extensive remodelling to give an extensive bar area with distinct areas. 

Conversion To Pub Use Award

Winner: Turk’s Head, Exeter

Originally an inn for over 700 years, this property was entirely reconfigured from a pizza restaurant into a functional pub whilst keeping its historical character. This is one of the region’s oldest pubs and said to be a favourite of Charles Dickens.

Conversion To Pub Use Award

Highly Commended: bod Matlock, Matlock

A building that originally housed a Boots chemist, which retains its art-deco heritage. Built in the 1920s specifically for Boots the Chemist, a mural of the original frontage can be seen on the Garden Room wall.

Conversion To Pub Use Award

Highly Commended: Fourth Fiend, Meltham

A conversion by the local Three Fiends Brewery of a 19th Century school building later used as a Conservative Club. Use of traditional features such as matchboarding and different wall finishes gives the impression that a single large space is divided into ‘bar’ and ‘lounge’ areas.

X
X