THE Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has announced the Drewe Arms in Drewsteignton, as the winner of the inaugural Heritage Award.

The new Heritage Award is open to all pubs on CAMRA’s National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors.

It recognises and celebrates the achievements of a heritage pub that has been revitalised in some way.

Situated in front of the parish church in a picturesque Dartmoor village square, the 17th century inn The Drewe Arms has remained unchanged for 100 years.

When the Grade II* listed pub closed in 2022, it was feared that the Drewe Arms would be lost forever.

The Drewsteignton Community Society formed and village locals came together to launch a fundraising campaign to re-open the pub under community ownership.

The campaign was a huge success, raising more than £550,000 in just six weeks with over 600 shareholders - the most ever raised for a community pub on the Crowdfunder platform.

On March 16, 2024, the Drewe Arms opened its doors once again to the local community.

One of Devon’s oldest pubs, the Drewe Arms has an interior of outstanding national historic importance, being one of the few pubs left in the UK without a conventional bar, instead local beers are served straight from the cask, from stillage to hatch.

The runner-up in the Heritage Award was the Kings Head in Bristol, which was restored by Good Chemistry Brewery.

Pub Saving Award Coordinator Paul Ainsworth said: “When a pub closes, it is incredibly hard to open the doors again, with many losing the battle to conversion or demolition.

"That is why these awards are so important, the hard work and dedication shown by these campaigns to save local pubs deserve recognition.

"They are all inspirational stories, that will hopefully encourage more pub saving campaigns, so future generations can enjoy the wonderful sense of community that only a pub can provide.

“2024 marked the one-year anniversary of the wanton destruction of the Crooked House pub in Himley, serving as a grim reminder that pubs in the wrong hands can sadly disappear. January is a tough time for pubs, so please make sure to support your local and seek out beautiful heritage pubs across the UK.”

The pubs will be presented with the award at forthcoming events organised by the respective local CAMRA branches in early 2025.