The Hillend Tavern in Fife has been named as one of the top 17 pubs in the UK as part of the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) Pub of the Year competition.
This community-focused village pub at 37-39 Main Street, Dalgety Bay near Dunfermline (KY11 9ND) previously won the Regional Scotland & Northern Ireland Pub of the Year award in 2023.
Locally known as “The Tav”, the pub has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere with cosy coal fires. The traditional bar serves four changing cask beers and a spacious area at the rear is used to host village events.
The Hillend Tavern supports and sponsors local sports teams, including cricket, football and squash.
Pubs are scored on their atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, inclusivity, overall impression, but most importantly – the quality of live beer, real cider and perry.
The regional and national finalists will compete for the UK National Pub of the Year award with judges whittling the 17 pubs down to just four in late September.
CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year title is the topmost accolade the campaigning group can bestow upon a pub and the overall winner will be announced in January 2025.
Last year’s UK National Pub of the Year winner was the Tamworth Tap in Staffordshire, which won the crown consecutively in both 2023 and 2022.
CAMRA claim the recognition of pubs and their place in our communities has never been more important as the announcement of the top 17 pubs come hot on the heels of the one-year anniversary of the demolition of the iconic Crooked House in Himley, Staffordshire.
The organisation continues to fight for stronger planning protections for pubs in Scotland, including closing the planning loophole where freestanding pubs can be demolished without the need for planning permission being lost to their communities without local people having a say.
Andrea Briers, national coordinator for the Pub of the Year competition said: “These amazing pubs really are the crème de la crème and I would encourage the public to seek out the 17 winners from across the nations and regions of the UK, they are top-tier pubs serving excellent beer, cider and perry, run by welcoming, hard working staff.
“It’s also important to support your local all year round. With constant pressure from stubbornly high energy prices, fluctuating running costs and grossly unfair business rates threatening to drown pubs across the UK, it’s vital to get out and support the licensed trade.”
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