Best of the Midland pubs and bars named

THE National Pub and Bar Awards has named its top choice of UK hostelries for 2024.

Among the West Midlands entries are a country pub serving outstanding food in Shropshire, a venue set up by a street food chef in Worcestershire and a renovated bar in Tamworth. Clinching the title of best in Worcestershire is Big Mouths Kitchen, set up by Kidderminster chef Todd Turner in Stourport last year after progressing from a street food van. BMK Stourport in Bridge Street serves huge burgers made with home-cooked birria lamb, loaded chips and roast dinners on Sundays. “One of the best I have had,” said one reviewer of their burger. BMK now has the chance to be named best in the UK at a national final on June 26.

Other regional winners include the renovated Tamworth Arms in Lichfield Street, Tamworth, named in the West Midlands county award, meaning no Birmingham pub got a look in. Staffordshire saw a traditional pub with hops hanging around the bar named best. The Fitzherbert Arms in Swynnerton also won the title in 2022 and was popular with judges for its ambience and beers on tap.

Warwickshire’s top pub and bar was named as The House in The Parade at Leamington Spa. “Amazing atmosphere and the drinks are always great,” said Bia Pink in a Google review. Shropshire’s top pub was named as The Tally Ho Inn in Boulden, set amid countryside near Craven Arms where diners rave about the “outstanding food”.

Other nearby pubs honoured include Gloucestershire’s winner, The Bottle of Sauce in Cheltenham.