A Durham pub popular with fans of craft beer and real ale has reached the final four of the prestigious Pub of the Year competition. 

The Station House is within touching distance of the top prize, ran by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), after impressing judges and drinkers alike. 

The boozer opened in 2015 after Susannah and Chris Mansfield converted the building into a pub.

A wedge-shaped pub in the shadow of the railway viaduct, it offers a changing range of beer and cider with a dark beer always on tap. The emphasis is on conversation, plus great beer and cider of course!

Co-owners Susannah and Chris Mansfield said: “We opened with a view to being the kind of pub we wanted to drink in.

"Over the years since we've gradually made tweaks, but our central aims have remained: great beer and cider, great community, and a welcoming space for all. In essence, we want people to come because the beer is excellent and stay because they've got chatting to someone. 

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“Our amazing team of staff is key to what we do, and we could not be prouder of them. Our regulars, whether old or new, local or from further afield, make the pub the vibrant, welcoming community it is. Without their continued support, the last few years would have been even tougher.

“The Station House remains the pub we want to drink in. We're very proud, therefore, to be national finalists for Pub of the Year.” 

Pubs in the competition are selected by CAMRA volunteers and judged on their atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, community focus and most importantly – quality of beer.

CAMRA Durham Branch Chair Paul Dobson said: “It shows to the beer-drinking and pub-going world that the North East in general and County Durham in particular has some great establishments. 

“The Station House is relatively young, but in the few years of its existence Susie, Chris and the rest of the team have stuck to the principles they quickly established - which match those of CAMRA."

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