A Pembrokeshire pub has been named the best pub in Wales by a leading pub guide and will now face off against the best pubs in the UK. The Cresselly Arms in Cresswell Quay has been named the best pub in Wales in the CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) Pub of the Year 2024 competition.
The Victorian public bar dates from the 1880s and has changed little over the centuries. The homely interior of the farmhouse kitchen, with its red and black stone tiled floor, roaring cast iron open fire, Victorian bar and bar shelves supported by slender columns, is not only Grade II listed but also of national historic interest.
Accessible by boat (kayak or canoe trips) from the Milford Haven estuary or by paddleboard. At high tide and just a short drive from Tenby, the pub is also on a number of interesting walking routes, making it a popular destination for walkers. A haven for locals and tourists alike, the Cresselly Arms hosts community events and partners with street food stalls such as Feast Pembroksihre and We Love Curry, as well as serving four excellent cask ales.
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On a sunny summer’s day, the pub is the perfect place to watch the sunset over the estuary – assuming you can get a table. Given its location, this popular pub is understandably busy in warm weather.
After battling for the title of best pub in Wales, the Pembrokeshire pub is now competing with 16 other pubs from across the UK for the top spot. Pubs in the competition are judged on atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, inclusiveness, overall impression and, most importantly, the quality of the fresh beer, real cider and perry.
Last year’s winner of the UK National Pub of the Year was the Tamworth Tap in Staffordshire, which won the crown in both 2023 and 2022. Find out about the latest events in Wales by signing up to our What’s On newsletter here.
Announcing the winner from Wales, CAMRA said it was campaigning for stronger planning protections for pubs in Wales. The organisation called on the Welsh Government to make planning permission mandatory before a pub can be converted to another use or demolished, so that communities have a chance of saving their premises if developers try to get rid of it against their will.
Andrea Briers, national coordinator of the Pub of the Year competition, said: “These fantastic pubs really are the crème de la crème and I would encourage the public to come and see the 17 winners from every nation and region of the UK – they are first class pubs serving excellent beer, cider and perry and run by friendly, hard-working staff.”
“It’s also important to support your local pub all year round. With constant pressure from stubbornly high energy prices, fluctuating running costs and extremely unfair business rates threatening to ruin pubs across the UK, it’s essential to get out and support the licensed trade.”
Here are some of the others vying to be named the best in the UK in 2024:
Central South – Bell Inn, Aldworth
East Anglia – Blackfriars Tavern, Great Yarmouth
Eastern Midlands – Horse and Jockey, Stapleford
Greater Manchester – Northumberland Arms, Marple Bridge
Kent – Nelson Arms, Tonbridge
Greater London – Little Green Dragon, Winchmore Hill
Merseyside and Cheshire – Turks Head, St Helens Region
Northeast – London Region, United Kingdom
Northern Ireland – Dog and Duck, Lisbellaw
Scotland – Hillend Tavern, Dalgety Bay
southwest – Crossways Inn, West Huntspill
Surrey and Sussex – Brickmakers Alehouse, Bexhill-on-Sea
Wessex – Woodman Inn, Bridport
Western Midlands – Bailey Head Region, Owestry
Western Pennines – London Region, United Kingdom
Yorkshire – Three B’s, Bridlington
