Bulls Head, Smallwood is Branch Pub of the Year 2024
Trading has probably never been so tough for our beloved pubs. Rising prices, rents, utility bills etc are driving costs up while similar factors send consumers to look for cheaper options such as the local supermarket. But arguably, it’s even tougher for rural pubs, especially ones which have little local housing and no public transport options. Which all provides testament to the incredible skill and hard work of Ian Evans and his team in overcoming these odds and achieving such success at our 2024 Pub of the Year, the Bull’s Head at Smallwood.
The Bull’s Head has all the usual ingredients of a great country pub – pleasant garden for summer days, open fire for winter evenings, wholesome and generous home-cooked food, a warm welcome for all. But not surprisingly, it’s the beer choice that caught our eye. The handpumps proudly stand at the centre of the small central bar offering three regularly changing beers from local and regional breweries, always in perfect condition. The pub offers a focal point for its local community with events throughout the year, music nights and provision of a relaxed meeting place for local groups and societies. Typically, they turned our Pub of the Year award presentation on 1st June into an all day celebration with a barbeque, four musical acts and even more great cask beer on their outdoor pop-up bar.
A very worthy Pub of the Year – do yourself a favour and pay them a visit soon!
