AN exclusive country pub has been voted as the best in County Durham after topping the polls in this years National Pub and bar awards.

Finishing top of the pile, The Kingslodge Inn, Durham, has been crowned the greatest place to enjoy a drink in the entirety of the region – a boost for the pub ahead of the bank holiday weekend.

This accolade comes after nearly 100 pubs and bars across the UK were named the best in their respective counties.

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With consumer confidence on the rise and hospitality venues continuing their journey on the road to recovery, 94 pubs and bars across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have scooped a prestigious County Winner title as part of the 2022 National Pub & Bar Awards.

Alongside The Kingslodge, there was also space for The Craster Arms (Northumberland) and Three Mile (Tyne and Wear) in the 2022 awards for their respective counties.

The National Pub & Bar Awards aims to put exemplary on-trade businesses across the UK in the national spotlight, showcasing the hospitality industry’s diversity, creativity, and vital importance to the UK economy.

The Northern Echo: The Durham pub joined 93 others to be crowned 'best in their counties' this year. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO.The Durham pub joined 93 others to be crowned 'best in their counties' this year. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO.

This isn’t the first time that The Kingslodge Inn has been named as the county’s best pub after also winning the award in 2019; the last time the award was run properly pre-pandemic.

The Durham-based pub, located on Waddington Street, and all the other businesses that have been selected on overall best practice across several operational categories will be officially crowned at a red-carpet celebration at 30 Euston Square on Wednesday, June 22.

At the grand final, 15 Regional Winners will also be announced, as well as the esteemed accolade – the overall National Pub & Bar of the Year, which was won by Galvin Green Man in Essex in 2021.

The Northern Echo: The Kingslodge Inn was also crowned the best in County Durham in 2019 too. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO.The Kingslodge Inn was also crowned the best in County Durham in 2019 too. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO.

Tristan O’Hana, editor of Pub & Bar magazine, which hosts the event, said: “Just from being out in these venues, you can see how much pubs and bars mean to people across the UK.

“With visitor numbers increasing, it’s more important than ever for operators to deliver a standout service during every visit – no matter the business in question.

“These 94 County Winners are wonderful examples of the brilliance of today’s modern on-trade. If you live near one of these sites, make sure you pay them a visit.”

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