Each year CAMRA organises championship rounds to determine the best Pub of the Year. The rounds start with voting by branches for their nominations in each county they represent and these then go head to head with those pubs submitted by other CAMRA branches within that same county. These then go onto the regional finalists for West Midlands and then to the final Pub of the Year for the UK.

The Shakespeare CAMRA awards pubs the title of Branch Pub of the Year - one for Warwickshire branch area and one for the Worcestershire branch area.

Shakespeare CAMRA Pub of the Year 2024 (Warwickshire)

Shakespeare CAMRA Pub of the Year (Warwickshire) 2024 has been awarded to Thirst Edition, Shipston. A presentation by Lloyd Evans, Chair of Shakespeare CAMRA took place on Tuesday 9th April 2024.

On Wednesday 6th March, the branch voted for our annual awards to pubs across branch area in Warwickshire and with so many great venues now serving cask conditioned ale in the branch, it's an honour to name this year's winners as Thirst Edition– which also scooped the award in 2023 along with the County title.

Thirst Edition is now an excellent micro pub located converted from what was originally a shop. It has the capacity for up to approximately 35 – 40 people with around 25 – 30 seated. Under the conditions of the license David is not allowed to have children under the age of eighteen on the premises but you will be pleased to know that dogs are allowed in.

Our members therefore remain incredibly impressed with the Thirst Edition pub and David’s passion and knowledge for ensuring quality Real ale and cider is always served. This family-run pub really does offer a warm welcome and it is clear to see the dedication of all involved to ensure it is a pleasure to visit, offering a wonderful welcome with top quality beer and cider on offer.

However, I am pleased to see that it’s not only our members who appreciate this pub and looking on Trip advisor all 31 reports rate the pub in the highest categories and in selecting the following quote I think that it represents a true reflection of people’s feelings –

“The landlord is really friendly and welcoming. He offered us tasters of the beers, which were all very well kept. He has a great selection of real ales on stillage, some local and some from further afield. In addition, he has a broad selection of Belgian beers, gins and wines so if not all of your party like ale there's something for everyone.”

In our case the quality of real ales and ciders available remains as being one of the most important factors in us reaching the decision to make this award and with over eighty different breweries (not beers) listed on the website you can clearly see that it is not just quality but also variety of beers that David has brought to Thirst Edition.

Therefore, over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend it was a real pleasure to see him highlighting the beers from the local North Cotswolds brewery. To have such a high-quality brewery so close to Shipston is a real asset and in mentioning the brewery I would like to add our congratulations on Falstaff’s Folly winning the national SIBA award for its category recently in Liverpool.

The success of this pub has been built on continuous hard work, dedication, and attention to detail in making Thirst Edition a splendid community asset. Shipston is lucky indeed to have such a quality venue and our congratulations go to David and his team for achieving another tremendous accolade.

Portrait of licensee David Allsopp, by Sue Bains

Shakespeare CAMRA Pub of the Year 2024 (Worcestershire)

Shakespeare CAMRA Pub of the Year (Worcestershire) 2024 has been awarded to Fleece Inn, Bretforton. A presentation by Lloyd Evans, Chair of Shakespeare CAMRA took place on Wednesday 24th April 2024.


The Fleece is a well renowned village pub which has been identified by CAMRA as being one of Britain’s best Real Heritage pubs. It is fair to say that it celebrates all things traditionally English, at any opportunity, including and a wassail evening, an Asparagus festival which was launched yesterday, and a St. George’s day Morris celebration led by the local Morris groups.

It houses a world-famous collection of 17th century pewter and is recognised by many outside bodies including the British Pie awards, Good Pub Guide Top Ten Country Pubs, best beer garden in the Cotswolds. It is also a regular entry into the Good Beer Guide and has won our Pub of the Year (POTY) award on many previous occasions.

If you look beyond the main awards the comments on Tripadvisor also make interesting reading and I have selected the following three as giving a true reflection of the pub
“If only all pubs could be like this.”
“Best pub on the planet.”
“WOW...!! What a GEM of a pub.”

It is a community-oriented pub, and each Thursday evening is Folk night for the locals in the Pewter room. Whilst the Mediaeval Barn, situated in the courtyard of the grounds, is often graced by some of the most well-regarded Folk and Acoustic artists of the modern day. One of which I had the pleasure of attending myself recently.

The variety of real ales and ciders on offer are always of an excellent quality with beers from local breweries Purity and Wye Valley always on offer supported by two or three guest ales which include Uley Pig’s Ear and offerings from North Cotswolds brewery together with several traditional ciders including one made at the pub itself.

Nigel and his team maintain a high level of excellence in all aspects of running this pub and in my opinion, it is a “pub for all seasons” whether it being drinking next to a log fire in the Winter or out in the extensive orchard garden come the summer months.

In summary, the Fleece is a unique totally unspoilt English pub, run by a very enthusiastic and knowledgeable landlord which offers a range of well-kept real ales and ciders together with a very good food offering for its customers. This really is a pub not to be missed if you are ever in the area.