A nationwide search is underway to discover the most vibrant and picturesque pub gardens across the UK. We like beer. And we like gardens. So you won’t be that surprised to hear we’ve muscled our way onto the judging panel.
With just one week to go until the deadline for entries the competition already looks like being a fierce battle, but there’s still time for to suggest your favourite beer garden in the hope it scoops the top prize.
The ace competition has been organised by SME Insurance Services Limited (SMEi), which specialises in providing business insurance to the pub and hospitality sector, and figured it was high time to champion the great British pub and the wealth of fantastic beer gardens available.
Publicans, breweries and pub goers alike can all enter by simply submitting images of their beer garden via: smeinsurance.com/britains-best-beer-garden with the best ones being judged by criteria such as the most picturesque, best atmosphere and most family friendly. Whether it’s a city centre bar with a modern, alfresco drinking area to attract revellers or a classic traditional country pub, the campaign is open to beer gardens and pubs of all shapes and sizes.
Entries must be received before 31st August 2016, with those shortlisted (by a crack team of beer garden regulars, including us) put to a public vote on Facebook – giving pub goers, customers and local communities the chance to provide their support and vote for their favourite local.
As well as having the bragging rights of being awarded the title of “Britain’s Best Beer Garden 2016” by SMEi, the top three pubs will all receive prizes with first place being awarded a £500 gift card which they can use towards treating their team. In addition, a professional photographer will also be commissioned to photograph the winning pub and garden in all its glory.
So saunter down to your favourite local boozer this bank holiday weekend, take some snaps with your mobile and send them in. Go on. It would be foolish not to…
The Mill, Butcombe Brewery’s newly refurbished pub at Rode, near Nick’s home town of Frome, Somerset.
The main image is an entry from Edinburgh