Wenlock Arms Wins North London CAMRA Pub of the Year 2026; Hoxton, 2026

Key Points

• The Wenlock Arms in Hoxton has been awarded North London CAMRA’s Pub of the Year for 2026, marking its second win in this category.
• This victory comes nine years after the pub previously won the same North London title in 2017, showcasing a remarkable revival journey.
• John Cryne from CAMRA’s North London Branch described the pub’s history as a “rags to riches then back to rags and finally riches” story, highlighting its struggle against property developers.
• The pub reopened as a free house in 1994 by Steve Barnes and Will Williams, becoming a beacon for good beer when real ale was scarce.
• A three-year fight to save the pub from developers began in 2010, leading to its reopening in 2013 after closure.
• The Wenlock Arms currently features an impressive array of 10 handpumps selling real ale and real cider, a rarity in the branch area.
• The winner was selected through an online vote by CAMRA members, with one respondent calling it the “benchmark in how to keep and serve cask” .
• Samson Armett-Roughley, the Cellar Manager, stated the award is an honour that helps keep real ale alive despite ongoing pressures on pubs.
• The Victorian pub, built in 1835, features a ‘U’ shaped bar, dart board, and piano, and was used as a filming location for Simon Pegg’s The World’s End.
• The award was officially presented on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, to General Manager Esther Harper and Cellar Manager Samson Armett-Roughley.
• The pub is part of CAMRA’s LocAle scheme and is leased by Heath Ball, who also owns the Red Lion & Sun and Angel Inn in Highgate.

Hoxton (North London News) May 6, 2026 – The Wenlock Arms has been crowned North London CAMRA’s Pub of the Year for 2026, securing a prestigious accolade that underscores its resurrection from the brink of closure to becoming a cornerstone of the local real ale scene. As reported by John Cryne of CAMRA’s North London Branch, the pub’s journey represents a “classic story of rags to riches then back to rags and finally riches,” a narrative that resonated deeply with the more than 140,000 members of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) who participated in the online voting process. The award, presented on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, marks the second time the Hoxton establishment has claimed this specific regional title, having previously won in 2017 under the same ownership that guided it through a turbulent three-year battle with property developers.

How did the Wenlock Arms survive its fight against development?

The path to this 2026 accolade was neither linear nor guaranteed. As detailed by John Cryne, the Wenlock Arms reopened as a free house in 1994, driven by the vision of Steve Barnes and Will Williams, who transformed it into a

“beacon for good beer at a time when real ale was not in abundance” .

However, the pub’s success attracted unwanted attention from property developers, triggering a “three-year fight” beginning in 2010 to maintain its status as a public house.

The struggle concluded successfully in 2013 when the pub finally re-opened its doors, gradually rebuilding its reputation for quality beer and a welcoming atmosphere.

This resilience is central to the pub’s identity, with Cryne noting that the current win adds to “four awards under the previous ownership,” cementing its legacy in North London’s pub culture.

Why is having 10 handpumps significant for real ale?

The technical quality of the beer service at the Wenlock Arms appears to be a primary driver of its success. John Cryne highlighted that the pub now boasts “an impressive array of 10 handpumps selling real ale and real cider,” a feature he noted is rare, stating,

“There are few pubs in our branch area that can boast winning our Pub of the Year as many times as the Wenlock Arms” .

The significance of this infrastructure cannot be overstated; as Cryne emphasised,

“it is only in pubs that you can drink real ale,”

making the preservation of such tap counts vital for the genre. Samson Armett-Roughley, the Wenlock’s Cellar Manager, echoed this sentiment, acknowledging that

“with these many ale taps, the ongoing pressures to pubs and businesses means the odds are against us,”

the team views the award as a crucial honour that “helps keep real ale alive”.

What did CAMRA members say about the Wenlock Arms?

The decision to name the Wenlock Arms the winner was driven by the collective voice of CAMRA members via an online vote. One respondent provided a particularly evocative summary of the pub’s current standing, as cited by Cryne:

“Harking back to its glorious late 90s/early 00s days as the finest cask ale joint in London (when competition was much slighter), the Wenlock Arms is once again firing on all cylinders (and all lines) as the benchmark in how to keep and serve cask, at the same time creating an inclusive, lively and convivial place to gather” .

Cryne described this comment as

“a tribute to all the hard work the team at the Wenlock has put in,”

validating the effort required to maintain such high standards in a competitive market. The pub’s adherence to CAMRA’s LocAle scheme, which promotes local beers, further aligns with the organisation’s mission, with the pub priding itself on having

“well-trained staff who know about the beers” .

How does the Wenlock Arms balance tradition with modern offerings?

Beyond its beer credentials, the Wenlock Arms maintains a strong connection to its Victorian roots while offering contemporary amenities. Built in 1835, the establishment is a “traditional Victorian corner pub” featuring a distinctive ‘U’ shaped bar, a dart board, and a piano in the back seating area.

Its classic character is so well-preserved that it has served as a filming location, including for Simon Pegg’s The World’s End.

While real ale is the primary draw, the pub also offers

“simple snack menu of toasties, Piemaster pies, baked Camembert and tuna melts,”

catering to patrons seeking sustenance alongside their drinks. The pub is part of a small group of four pubs leased by Heath Ball, which includes the Red Lion & Sun and the Angel Inn in Highgate, suggesting a management structure committed to preserving independent pub culture.

Where is the Wenlock Arms located, and when is it open?

The Wenlock Arms is situated at 26 Wenlock Road, Hoxton, N1 7TA, a location that contributes to its accessibility and community role. It is a

“10 minute walk from Old Street and just a few minutes from Regent’s Canal,”

place in a vibrant area of North London. The opening hours reflect a balance between weekday trade and weekend crowds: Monday from 3 pm–11 pm; Tuesday and Wednesday from 12 pm–11 pm; Thursday from 12 pm–12 am; and Friday and Saturday from 12 pm–1 am. These hours ensure the pub remains a viable gathering spot for both local workers and weekend visitors.

Background of the Development

The development of the Wenlock Arms winning Pub of the Year 2026 is rooted in the long-standing mission of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), a volunteer membership organisation formed in 1971 with over 140,000 members and 200 volunteer branches across the UK. CAMRA exists specifically to promote good beer, protect pubs, and defend consumer rights, making this award a direct fulfilment of its organisational charter. The Wenlock Arms itself has a historical lineage dating back to 1835, originally serving as the brewery tap for the nearby Wenlock Brewery until the brewery closed in 1962, which is the origin of the pub’s name.

The “development” of its current status as an award-winning venue was punctuated by a critical period of instability between 2010 and 2013, when the pub faced a threat of closure due to property development interests. The successful campaign to keep it as a pub, led by the community and its owners, marked a turning point that allowed it to rebuild its reputation and eventually reclaim the title it first won in 2017.

This specific award cycle for 2026 was determined entirely by an online vote from CAMRA members, reflecting a democratic process within the organisation to identify the best venues for real ale.

Prediction: How This Development Affects North London Pub Goers and Real Ale Enthusiasts

This development is likely to have a tangible impact on the local pub landscape in North London and the broader real ale community. For pub goers in the Hoxton and Old Street area, the recognition validates the Wenlock Arms as a reliable destination for high-quality cask ale, potentially increasing footfall and reinforcing the pub’s role as a “lively and convivial place to gather”.

The award may encourage other establishments in the region to invest more heavily in their beer lines and staff training to compete for similar recognition, raising the overall standard of real ale service in the CAMRA North London Branch area. For real ale enthusiasts, the win serves as a morale boost, demonstrating that despite “ongoing pressures to pubs and businesses,” venues dedicated to preserving traditional cask ale can still thrive and be celebrated.

The prominence of the Wenlock Arms, with its 10 handpumps, sets a new benchmark for what a modern pub can offer, potentially influencing consumer expectations regarding variety and quality elsewhere in the city. Furthermore, the award highlights the success of the “free house” model, where pubs are not tied to a specific brewery, allowing for a diverse selection of local and regional beers under the LocAle scheme, which could inspire more independent lease agreements in the sector.