CAMRA members are celebrating the 12 pubs of Christmas, specifically chosen because each offers something unique and special this festive season.
The list includes:
- A London pub that boasts nearly 100 Christmas trees on the premises covered in over 21,000 lights
- A pub in Cambridge that hosts Father Christmas and his real-life reindeer in the back garden
- A pub in Durham that offers a free Christmas lunch to anyone spending the holidays alone
The 12 pubs of Christmas can be found at https://camra.org.uk/pubs/
The recommendations form part of CAMRA’s campaign to highlight the important role that pubs play to local communities and in tackling loneliness and social isolation, particularly during the cold winter months.
CAMRA’s National Chairman Nik Antona said: “Pubs play a vital role in tackling loneliness and social isolation. They are one of the last few places where people can come together to socialise outside the home and our latest campaign aims to highlight the amazing work that pubs do to foster community spirit and encourage social interaction all year, including the Christmas period.”
CAMRA will be encouraging licensees to host events to tackle loneliness over the winter months and will be sharing those activities to encourage pub-going at https://camra.org.uk/
12 Pubs of Christmas
- Kingslodge Inn, Durham – this pub really gets into the festive spirit by offering Christmas lunch and entertainment for older people living alone. The pub also runs a regular lunch club throughout the year.
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Churchill Arms, Greater London* – dating from 1824, this is one of London’s Real Heritage Pubs and is known for its quirky exterior. At Christmas, it is a sight to behold with spectacular festive decorations including 97 Christmas trees (93 outside and 4 inside) covered in over 21,000 lights.
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Errigle Inn, Northern Ireland* – there is something for everyone at the Errigle Inn during Christmas, whether it’s the lights and decorations, live traditional, folk and rock music events upstairs, the Christmas Jumper pub quiz and live football between Boxing Day and New Year.
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Cambridge Blue, Cambridge* – this ever-popular side street pub joins forces with the Mill Road Winter Fair to host Father Christmas and his real-life reindeer in the back garden. In addition, there is a highly-anticipated annual evening of carols and mulled wine with the Cottenham Brass Band.
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Cumberland Arms, Newcastle upon Tyne*- Christmas at the Cumberland celebrates all things Christmassy with music, shopping, food and hot booze!
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Ship Inn, Ulverston*- The Ship Inn hosts regular events including popular Christmas wreath making workshops using fresh flowers or rags, which aim to encourage skills to be passed on between local generations, with funds donated to a local charity.
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New Inn, Cornwall* – hosts a wide range of local events all year round, including a popular Carols at Christmas event. This year’s takes place on 21st December with mulled wine and mince pies. A raffle will also be held with proceeds going to Coast Medic with the aim of installing a defibrillator in the village.
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Duke of Marlborough, Suffolk* – at Christmas, events include a popular shopping night with mulled cider in November, where locals can buy and sell gifts, art & crafts, decorations, homewares and Christmas cakes. There are also creative workshops such a Lino Cutting Print Day with a local artist to produce a set of unique Christmas cards.
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The Bevy, West Sussex – the Bevy is the first community-owned and run estate pub in the UK. At Christmas there is lots on offer including a Christmas Fair (1st December), a free Children’s Christmas Party with Santa’s Grotto and disco (14th December) and Churches Together Christmas Carols (15th December).
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Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, Hertfordshire* – a Boxing Day tradition takes place annually where the Mummers perform their unique adaptation of George and the Dragon outside the pub. In addition, this year Ye Olde Fighting Cocks is also staging a Christmas Night Bazaar from 4th-22nd December in its garden.
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Clachnaharry Inn, Inverness* – Clachnaharry Inn is a friendly 17th-century coaching inn which offers a free mini-bus service for those within a 10-12 mile radius of the pub at Christmas.
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The Alexandra, Greater London – the Alexandra serves up free turkey lunches and drinks on Christmas Day to anyone spending Christmas alone. Now in its fifth year, neighbouring shops and residents also donate food and presents to help spread the festive joy! This year, they are expecting over 100 three-course meals to be served, to those on their own, recently widowed, or those working away from home and family.
Ends
* Featured in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2020, available to purchase at shop.camra.org.uk
** All activities and dates correct at time of publication.
Photos are available at https://drive.google.com/
For more information, visit https://camra.org.uk/pubs/
CAMRA membership is just £26.50* a year (£18* for Under 26s) and now includes £30 of real ale, cider and perry vouchers accepted at over 1400 participating pubs including Wetherspoons, S.A. Brains, Stonegate Ltd and Castle Rock pubs, (If you run a pub and would like to join the scheme email us at CAMRAvouchers@camra.org.uk ) and membership discounts at a further 3000+ pubs nationwide. Members also receive free or discounted entry at over 180 beer festivals including Great British Beer Festival events, and CAMRA’s monthly newspaper What’s Brewing and award-winning BEER magazine.
* Direct Debit rate. Full details at www.camra.org.uk/join
