Back in February we announced The Hidden Barrel, Bedford, as North Beds CAMRA Pub of the Year 2026, together with three other branch awards to local pubs and a club.

Sir William Peel Sandy Orange Tree Baldock

CAMRA Pub of the Year is a national competition, with winners going on to compete at county, region and eventually national level. The three Bedfordshire branches judged the Hidden Barrel, the Bricklayers Arms, Luton, and the Sir William Peel, Sandy, for the county title and chose the Sir William Peel as Bedfordshire County Pub of the Year 2026.

The three other county winners in CAMRA’s East Central Region were the Orange Tree, Baldock (Herts), the Bell & Bear, Emberton near Olney (Bucks) and the Malt Shovel Tavern, Northampton (Northants).

Bell & Bear Emberton Malt Shovel Tavern

Although only one winner can go forward to the final rounds of the competition, all four county winners are excellent pubs and well worth a visit. To find their details, click the National pub guide link in the menu column (left).

Judging by members from each county of the four county winners is now completed and the East Central Regional Pub of the Year 2026 is the Malt Shovel Tavern, Northampton.

The Malt Shovel Tavern is now our candidate for the next round, which will reduce regional contenders to the final fab four, from which the national winner will be chosen and declared early in 2027. We will keep you posted!