South Devon pub is pub of the year

The Durant Arms in Ashprington has won South Devon CAMRA’s Pub of the Year 2024 and Rural Pub of the Year 2024.

A ceremony was held on Saturday 6th April where Bob Southwell, Chairman of South Devon CAMRA, presented the awards to owners Alan, Lesley and Simon Woollacott. Also in attendance to congratulate the Durant Arms team were a number of local residents and MP for Totnes, Anthony Mangnall.

Speaking after the presentation, Alan Woollacott said:

“We are so proud and honoured that our family-run village freehouse has been given these two awards by South Devon CAMRA. Hopefully we can progress to the next stage of the competition, which is the Devon Pub of the Year.”

There are around 400 pubs in the South Devon Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) branch area. Each winter a shortlist is drawn up of suitable candidates for Pub of the Year based on beer scores entered by members throughout the year.

The best Town and Rural pubs are shortlisted then visited anonymously by members, who score the pubs on a number of categories including the quality of real ale, style and cleanliness, service, atmosphere and overall impression. Votes are then cast which concludes in a Winner and Runner Up in both the Town and Rural Pub categories, followed by another vote to choose an overall winner.