A new publication from CAMRA, The Campaign for Real Ale, highlights the hidden gems of British pub architecture with 270 pub interiors of outstanding historic interest.
Launched to coincide with CAMRA’s AGM in Norwich and available to purchase from the 6th of May, “Britain’s Best Real Heritage Pubs” is a beautifully illustrated celebration of pub interiors, from rural time-warps, Victorian and Edwardian drinking palaces to inter-war boozers, that have altered little in the last 80 years.
“Our pubs have been changed so much during the past half century that ones with genuine historic interiors are now incredible rarities. This book identifies the top 270 of these national treasures and presents a unique picture of the diversity of interior styles spanning a century or more ” said the book’s author Geoff Brandwood, of CAMRA’s Pub Heritage Group.
The book represents over two decades worth of work by CAMRA’s Pub Heritage Group during which time there was close collaboration with English Heritage. Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, says this in his foreword to the book,
“Pubs are an intrinsic part of British life, and nationwide there are around 50,000 opening their doors every day. But historic pub interiors are something rarer. Across the UK, only some 270 have been identified as having the level of national importance necessary for listing in this guide.
English Heritage has been working with CAMRA for 20 years now, and the legacy of that partnership is beautifully revealed within the pages of this book. From wonderful Victorian tiled interiors, through to the simple splendour of Art Deco decoration, the range of pubs recognised through the historic pub interiors project is staggering.”
England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are all featured in the book, which is further broken down by counties or local region and features contact details as well as beautiful, full colour images of the fantastic interiors CAMRA is trying to help celebrate and preserve. There are also informative features about the long history of the pub and many of the intriguing features about this unique British institution
The book will be available to purchase from the 6th of May in all good book shops and via www.camra.org.uk/shop, for more information visit www.camra.org.uk/bestheritage
