The UK’s most ‘visually stunning’ pubs have officially been revealed

It’s thought that around 45,000 pubs are operating across the UK today. 

So, we’re certainly not short of places to pop into for a cheeky pint after work, or to kick back outside with a Spritz in summer.

But if you’re someone who loves to pick a spot based on the vibes and aesthetics, then there are a few specific boozers you’ll want to swing by.

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has announced the winners of its Pub Design Awards 2026, which celebrate ‘the UK’s most visually stunning, lovingly restored and historically significant pubs’.

The awards, which are run in collaboration with Historic England and judged by a panel of design and conservation experts, featured several different categories.

These include the Historic England Conservation Award, the Conversion to Pub Use Award, the Refurbishment Awards, and the Community Local Award.

This year’s winners include the ‘sensitive’ restoration of a heritage pub dating back to the 1800s, and a deconsecrated church that’s been converted into a pub.

So where are the most picture-perfect pubs in the UK?

The Woodman, Birmingham

The Woodman was the winner in the Historic England Conservation category, which is given for ‘constructive conservation’, carefully preserving a pub’s historical architectural features, whilst updating and evolving its facilities to improve the viability of the building, securing it for future generations to enjoy. 

This pub dates back to 1897 and was falling into disrepair before owners Union Inns set out to restore it to its former glory.

CAMRA said: ‘A new wooden floor was laid, the historic Minton tiling walls (which culminate in the wonderful tiled rear Smoke Room) have been carefully cleaned and conserved, and the beautiful, ornate woodwork has been restored.

‘Standing next to the Old Curzon Street Station, set to be reopened as part of HS2, the pub will be an impressive first port of call for passengers.’

Blue Stoops, London 

This London boozer was the joint-winner of the Conversion to Pub Use Award, which, as the name suggests, is for pubs in buildings which were not previously used for a pub. 

Blue Stoops is housed in the former Kensington Wine Rooms and is owned by Jamie Allsopp.

The building was transformed by Relic Interiors and Box Construction, with the interior completely re-imagined with half-height partitions and glazed screening, plus new fixed seating, along with a revamp of the exterior with new signage and lighting. 

‘The striking new ceramic bar front featuring the historic Allsopp’s trademark is a major highlight to this latest addition to West London’s pub scene,’ says CAMRA.

St Peter’s Tavern, Liverpool

Sharing the Conversion accolade, this pub can be found inside a former Roman Catholic church, which was built in 1788, and owners 1936 Pubco claim the conversion was their ‘greatest challenge to date’. 

The process involved opening up the galleried interior and restoring historic features and façade, along with the introduction of a 20-metre-long bar counter formed from recycled courthouse furniture. 

New pew seating, glazing and bespoke mirrors have also been added, along with the creation of a courtyard garden. 

Leyton Engineer, London

Another pub in the capital scooped a top award from CAMRA. 

Leyton Engineer was awarded the top prize for the refurbishment of an existing pub building. This category looked at everything from pubs that had been completely gutted to those that merely had their design enhanced, and judges were looking for ‘originality and imagination’.

Originally Leyton Town Hall, the building was converted into a pub some years ago, and has undergone an extensive refurbishment by Remarkable Pubs Ltd. 

CAMRA praised the restoration of its historic features, such as glazed screens and the mosaic and terrazzo floors, plus the installation of a new bar back and brass chandeliers. 

They claimed these changes ‘have helped to create one of the most impressive pub interiors in East London’. 

Lord Southampton, London

The final winner was also in London, and it’s the Lord Southampton pub, which scooped the Community Local Award, reserved for ‘outstanding’ conservation or refurbishment of street-corner pubs at the centre of the local community.

This spot had been closed for a very long time and was in ‘near-derelict condition’ when owners Aimee Brown and Phil Harrington took over the lease and started on repairs.

Their extensive work included restoring the original floorboards and damaged wall-panelling, upgrading the bar area, and commissioning new hand-painted signage.

As a result, the pub now offers spaces for local groups to meet and is said to be at the heart of its local community. 

Which of these stunning pubs is your favourite?Comment Now

In addition to the overall winners, a few pubs were highly commended or commended in various categories, these include:

• Grand Assembly, Marlow, which was commended in the Conversion to Pub Use Award category
• European, London was highly commended in the Refurbishment category, as was The Green Man in Huntingdon
• The Duke of York, London, was commended in the Refurbishment category

Speaking about the awards, Andrew Davison, the chair of the Pub Design Awards judging panel, said: ‘Despite the increasing pressure on the hospitality industry, people are still prepared to invest time, money, and energy into pubs and bars. 

‘The Pub Design Awards recognise the extraordinary amount of effort, the imagination and design, plus high-quality craftsmanship which have gone into all of these projects.

‘In these troubled times, the pub still has a key role to play in our communities, and those who are working to conserve, repair and renovate them should rightfully be applauded.’

Shelly Bentley, the awards committee chair, added: ‘From striking Art Deco wonders to inviting street corner locals, there are some beautiful pubs across the UK. 

‘Next time you are enjoying a pint, take a second to marvel at the skill involved in making these stunning spaces. In these difficult times for the industry, it is always heartening to see just how much people care about pubs. 

‘From volunteering to help renovate your local, to architects undergoing full-on conservation projects, it all means future generations can enjoy them too.’

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