Rural Dartmoor pub scoops double awards in tough year for local hospitality

A village pub on the southern edge of Dartmoor is celebrating after being named both Rural Pub of the Year 2026 and Overall Pub of the Year 2026 by Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) Plymouth branch.

The Horse & Groom in Bittaford, run by husband and wife Dawn and Olly Michelin, received the honours from Plymouth CAMRA, recognising its standards in real ale, service and community role.

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Unlike many industry awards, CAMRA prizes are not entered by pubs themselves, and, instead, members nominate and vote for venues they visit throughout the year. 

Judging criteria include the quality of real ale and cider, atmosphere, service, hygiene, value for money and community focus, with a points-based system used to decide winners.

Landlord Olly and his son Pierre were highlighted for their knowledge and dedication behind the bar. 

Their commitment to understanding the drinks they serve, ‘sometimes involving taste testing!’, was noted as a key factor.

The latest success continues a strong record for the pub, which has previously won the same titles in 2020, 2022 and 2025, was runner-up in 2024, and has appeared in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide every year since 2009.

Speaking about the award, the team said the award comes during a difficult period for the hospitality sector, “with rising costs and further increases expected in April, the recognition has come at a particularly meaningful time,” they said.

ABOVE: A selection of the Horse and Groom's previous awards

Despite these pressures, the pub emphasised its traditional role at the heart of the village.

“We’re simply a traditional village pub, providing a safe, social space for the whole community without trying to be anything we’re not,” landlady Dawn said.

The business also supports charitable causes and is a designated “Pub Against Brain Tumours,” raising funds for The Brain Tumour Charity. Donations have so far reached £35,520.

As part of its fundraising, the pub is planning its first Big Bake Off event on Good Friday (3 April) from 3pm. 

Local bakers will present cakes for judging before the entries are auctioned to raise additional funds for the charity.

Organisers say they hope the event will help increase the total further and encourage community involvement.

CAMRA awards are widely regarded within the real ale sector as a reflection of consistent standards and local support rather than marketing or commercial entry.

The Horse & Groom’s latest recognition highlights the continuing importance of traditional rural pubs as social hubs for communities across Devon and Dartmoor.