The Dolaucothi Arms in Carmarthenshire wins Rural Pub of the Year

BBC Countryfile Magazine has announced the winners of the hotly contested BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2019.  

More than 30,000 votes were cast by the public, to recognise the very best of the British countryside, including mighty landmarks, outstanding national parks, best beaches, beautiful nature reserves and finest rural pubs from around the UK. This year Wales emerged triumphant, winning the popular Pub of the Year award.

The Dolaucothi Arms of Pumsaint in Camarthenshire, a coaching inn at the heart of the small community serving Welsh ales and great pub food won the hotly contested Pub of the Year award, recognised for its large beer garden with views over the valley and great walking routes nearby.

Fergus Collins, BBC Countryfile Magazine editor, says: “Congratulations to each of the winners – and all the people and places who were shortlisted. The aim of our awards is to celebrate the best of the British countryside and shine a light on lesser known places, projects and people who are doing great work. And personally I’m delighted to have a new list of places to explore in the year ahead.”.

Final Winners 2019

Village of the Year

1^st Place: Bembridge, Isle of Wight

2^nd Place: Ingleton, North Yorkshire

National Park of the Year

1^st Place: North York Moors

2^nd Place: Seaton Wetlands LNR, Devon

Landmark of the Year

1^st place: Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland

2^nd place: Huer’s Hut, Cornwall

Beach of the Year

1^st place: Sandown Bay, Isle of Wight

2^nd place: Machrihanish Bay, Argyll and Kintyre

Rural Pub of the Year

1^st place: The Dolaucothi Arms, Pumsaint, Carmarthenshire

Joint 2^nd place: Crown Inn, Crowntown, Cornwall and The Chequers, Retford, Nottinghamshire

Garden of the Year

1^st place: The Gertrude Jekyll Garden, Lindisfarne

2^nd place: Coleton Fishacre, Devon

Holiday Destination of the Year

1^st place: North Yorkshire

2^nd place: Orkney

Nature Reserve of the Year

1^st place: Falls of Clyde Scottish Wildlife Trust

2^nd place: Seaton Wetlands LNR, Devon, East Devon District Council

Wildlife Success Story of the Year

1^st place: Beavers in the Forest of Dean

2^nd place: Water vole reintroduction on Exmoor

Reader Photo of the Year

1^st place: Hello, hare by Ben Hartley

2^nd place: Standing tall by Iain Fazackerley

Winners will be profiled in the May issue of BBC Countryfile Magazine