A Bridport pub has been named the best in Wessex as the top pubs in the UK are announced. 

The Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) Pub of the Year 2024 competition is hotting up ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend with the announcement of this year’s finalists from the UK’s nations and regions.

The Woodman, on South Street, has been named as one of the top 17 pubs in the UK after winning both the Regional Cider Pub of the Year award, and the overall Regional Pub of the Year award.  It will go on to battle it out for the national crown. 

CAMRA says 'this fiercely independent, traditional pub is the heart of its community, with a focus on quality beers and ciders.

'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 is a hit with locals and visitors alike due to its atmosphere, beer garden to the rear, skittle alley and often hosts live, local music. It's won a number of awards over the years

Landlord Darren Moore, who's been at the pub for seven years, said: "It’s amazing to win - I still can't believe it.

"We would like to thank all the customers, suppliers, musicians, DJ’s and the staff that make the pub what it is."

(Image: CAMRA)  West Dorset CAMRA Cider Rep, Alex Bardswell, Woodman barman Taz, Bruce Mead , West Dorset CAMRA Chairman and Woodman publican Darren Moore receiving a Regional Cider Pub Award last year

Pubs in the competition are scored on their atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, inclusivity, overall impression, but most importantly – the quality of live beer, real cider and perry.

READ: Woodman Inn named one of best cider pubs in UK

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.

CAMRA says its esteemed National Pub of the Year title is the topmost accolade the campaign group can bestow upon a pub.

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.

Andrea Briers, national co-ordinator 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 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.”