The Gunton Arms, located near Cromer on the north Norfolk coast, has been recognized as the overall winner of the National Pub and Bar Awards held in June. Set amid a sprawling deer park, the pub features a distinctive interior where guests can dine beneath the skull of an extinct Irish elk and enjoy dishes such as venison sourced from the estate and locally caught crab from Cromer, five miles away. The establishment was purchased in 2009 by art dealer Ivor Braka, who transformed it from a country house hotel into a pub by 2011, collaborating with Stuart and Simone Tattersall, formerly of Mark Hix’s London kitchens. Visitors also encounter an array of contemporary art, including pieces by Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst, and Paula Rego, with a Lucian Freud artwork in the restroom. Historically, the building served as a secondary residence for Gunton Hall in the 1890s and hosted notable figures such as Lillie Langtry, mistress to the future King Edward VII.

In Berkshire, The Bell at Aldworth stands out for its uniquely preserved interior, described as nationally significant by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). The pub operates without a traditional bar; instead, a glazed hatch installed in 1902 functions as the main serving point. The adjacent tap room contains features such as so-called “witch’s marks” carved into a beam, a quarry-tiled floor, a one-handed clock, and an old shove ha’penny board, preserving a glimpse of historic pub culture. The pub has been run by the same family since the 1700s, who also historically owned the local carpenter’s shop responsible for crafting many of the benches found inside. The beer selection includes offerings brewed locally in a garden shed by James Macaulay, son of landlord Hugh.

In Gloucester, The Pelican sits opposite the ruins of St. Oswald’s Priory and claims that its timber beams originated from Sir Francis Drake’s ship when it departed for his circumnavigation in 1577, later renamed the Golden Hind. The pub does not operate its own kitchen, but on Gloucester rugby match days, food is available from a wagon positioned in the courtyard, and patrons are welcome to bring their own provisions. The Pelican was rescued and restored by Wye Valley Brewery in 2012 and currently offers up to ten cask ales alongside a dozen varieties of cider.

Meanwhile, The Lion in Ickleton, opened in 1728, faced an uncertain future after Greene King put the property on the market in 2023. In response, local villagers spearheaded a community effort to save the pub, launching a 10-week share offer that raised over £440,000, supplemented by an additional £100,000 in grants. After securing the keys just before Christmas 2024, approximately 120 volunteers undertook a six-month refurbishment project. The pub reopened in July of the previous year, with longtime resident Betty Willmott, 93, who has lived nearby all her life, ceremonially opening the establishment. The Lion remains Ickleton’s last public house, underscoring the importance of community efforts in preserving local pubs.