CAMRA awards are given to our best pubs and clubs, and to the hard-working people who make them a success. CAMRA North Beds is making four awards for excellence in 2026. Branch chairman Fytton Rowland is “delighted that we can again honour four of our best pubs and clubs. Although they are very different, they all serve and are part of their local community. Together they demonstrate how varied good pubs and clubs can be. I look forward to presenting their awards."

Branch Pub of the Year
The Hidden Barrel, Harpur Street, Bedford
Congratulations to the Hidden Barrel and licensee Mantas Skaburskis for winning our top branch pub award only a few months after the new micropub opened in July 2025.

A family-friendly free house in the heart of Bedford town centre, the Hidden Barrel’s premises have a long association with the pub business, most recently operating as Bar Citrus and further back as the Stanley Arms, but it’s a very different operation today. Two changing cask beers are usually available, almost always from independent breweries. Two beers from the same brewery are often on handpump at the same time, to help showcase a selected small brewery. The beers are always in excellent condition. CAMRA members get 10% discount on cask beers on presenting their membership cards. Mantas always keeps a wide range of other drinks, including (reflecting his Lithuanian origin) a selection of bottled beers from Lithuania.

Lunches supplied by Mamma Conchetta are available on Tuesday to Saturday and evening meals from Wednesday to Saturday, while Sunday and Monday are for drinks only. The pub has two free pool tables and holds an occasional quiz. For further details visit Hidden Barrel website or Hidden Barrel Facebook.

Our Pub of the Year award certificate will be presented to Mantas on Monday 23 March at about 7pm. All local CAMRA members and pub regulars are welcome to join us.

The Hidden Barrel will be our branch nomination for CAMRA’s Bedfordshire Pub of the Year title. County winners go on to the regional round and enter the competition for CAMRA’s national Pub of the Year.

Rural Pub of the Year
The Polhill Arms, Wilden Road, Renhold
Congratulations to the Polhill Arms and licensees Lucie and Stephen Fuller, who are no newcomers to our branch awards, having previously won Town Pub of the Year in 2014 at the Burnaby Arms in Bedford.

The Polhill Arms has long been a popular, family-friendly village pub just outside the Bedford urban area, with a welcoming atmosphere, a large garden and a children’s play area. The bar was refurbished in 2023 to create more space without losing the cosy country feel.

The regular cask beer is Hardys & Hansons Bitter, sold here under its house name of Polhill Best Bitter, with a couple of changing cask beers from Greene King or a guest brewery. A range of light-bite bar meals is available on Thursday evening and at lunchtime Saturday and Sunday. The menu includes ploughman's, home-made soup, paninis and more. A food truck visits on Wednesday evening and a fish and chip van on Friday. Regular events include quiz nights, live music and a monthly meat raffle. For further details call 01234 771398, or visit Polhill Arms website or Polhill Arms Facebook.

Our Rural Pub of the Year award certificate will be presented to Lucie and Stephen on Thursday 19 March at about 7pm. All local CAMRA members and pub regulars are welcome to join us.

Community Pub of the Year
The Crown, Station Road, Willington
Congratulations to licensee Vince Hislop and his staff for winning our CAMRA branch award for community activities, being at the centre of life in this village close to the busy A603 Bedford to Sandy road. After a change of ownership a few years ago, this lively community pub is now a free house with a single, L-shaped bar. Several village activities are supported, there is regular live music and an occasional, popular quiz on Sunday.

A choice of changing cask beers is served, most recently including Batemans XXXB from Lincolnshire. Traditional pub meals are served on Wednesday to Saturday evenings and lunches on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, when there’s a roast. Locally sourced ingredients are used where possible. Fish and chips are available to take away. For further details, call (01234) 831024 or visit Crown Facebook.

Our Community Pub of the Year award certificate will be presented shortly on a date to be decided. All local CAMRA members and pub regulars are welcome to join us.

Club of the Year
The Stewartby Club, Stewartby
Congratulations to Stewartby Club members and steward Shane Walker for winning our Club of the Year award for the third time. Their first award was in 2020, just before the Covid-19 emergency sadly forced the club into lockdown, followed by a second in 2024.

A former brickworks club in a village with no pub, the Stewartby Club fills the vacancy very nicely, being at the heart of village social life and activity. Pool, snooker and darts are played. A large function room housing up to 250 can be hired for weddings and private parties. Live music nights, bingo, quizzes and many other social events are held regularly. Three cask beers are served on handpump: Courage Directors, Timothy Taylor Landlord and Tring Side Pocket for a Toad. Food is not served on a regular basis but may be supplied for specific events.

An annual beer and cider festival, first held in October 2016, is open to non-members, but full club membership is good value at just £13 for the first year, then £10 per year. For further Club details, call 01234 768261 or visit Stewartby Club website or Stewartby Club Facebook.

Our Club of the Year award certificate will be presented shortly on a date to be decided. The Stewartby Club will be our branch nomination for CAMRA’s Club of the Year competition.