THE 2024 UK pub of the year competition is hotting up – with a number of south west pubs in the running.

Finalists from regions across the country are being whittled down in the CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) Pub of the Year contest.

Among them is The Woodman Inn, in Bridport, which has been named the best pub in Wessex.

“This fiercely independent, traditional pub is the heart of its community, with a focus on quality beers and ciders,” a CAMRA spokesperson said.

“The Woodman Inn offers a range of five constantly changing beers, rarely serving the same drink twice, with one handpump dedicated to dark beer.

“Exhibiting a vast array of ciders, the pub also won the Regional Cider Pub of the Year award in 2023.

“The Woodman Inn has a cosy one-bar interior with a stone floor and log burner, a pleasant garden to the rear and a skittle alley.”

A total of 17 pubs have been crowned the winner in their area, with judges scoring them on atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, inclusivity, overall impression, and the quality of live beer, real cider and perry.

The regional and national finalists will now compete for the UK National Pub of the Year award, with judges whittling the 17 pubs down to just four in late September, with the winner announced in January.

Last year’s UK National Pub of the Year winner was the Tamworth Tap, in Staffordshire, which won the crown consecutively in 2022 and 2023.

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, hardworking 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.”

The 17 finalists in the CAMRA Pub of the Year 2024 competition are:

Central Southern: Bell Inn, Aldworth

East Anglia: Blackfriars Tavern, Great Yarmouth

East 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

North East: Grey Horse, Consett

Northern Ireland: Dog and Duck, Lisbellaw

Scotland: Hillend Tavern, Dalgety Bay

South West: Crossways Inn, West Huntspill

Surrey and Sussex: Brickmakers Alehouse, Bexhill on Sea

Wales: Cresselley Arms, Cressell Quay

Wessex: Woodman Inn, Bridport

West Midlands: Bailey Head, Owestry

West Pennines: Black Horse, Preston

Yorkshire: Three B’s, Bridlington