OSWESTRY’S Bailey Head pub has been named one of the best nationally by Camra, much to the owners’ shock and delight.

The pub, on the Bailey Head, was the pick of the West Midlands for Camra and included on a list of 17 across the UK by the groups, which campaigns for real ale.

Grace Goodlad co-owns the pub with husband Duncan Borrowman and she said that while the pair are used to accolades, this one came out of the blue and has left them delighted.

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“It’s a huge shock,” she said.

“Obviously we’re delighted and it’s beyond our wildest expectations, hopes and dreams that we would be named in this list.

“We never thought we would achieve anything like this.

“To be named as the best in the region by Camra is incredible as it based on real ales which is what we do.

“There’s around 6,000 pubs in the West Midlands and to be named as the best one is incredible.

“It’s all about what we do in the cellar and that’s a fantastic achievement for Duncan and it’s also judged by Camra members their people who are trained in tasting beer so they know what they are on about.

“We’re judged on our beer and cider, of course, but we’re also judged on what sort of welcome we give and the pub itself so it’s incredible.

“This is the first time anyone’s done a double of West Midlands cider pub of the Year and then a national pub of the year, which is what we’ve done.

“We’re flabbergasted – people asked if I was happy but it was more shock than delighted, though obviously we are delighted now.

“I’ve drunk real ale since I was old enough to drink and loved going to pubs that had a sign saying they were the best.

“It’s humbling to know now that that’s us – it’s a lot of responsibility too to keep it up.”

Grace added that she hoped the award can impact on Oswestry positively.

She added: “Duncan and I really hope that with this being a national story, it will boost tourism to the town and bring people here instead of going to other places in Shropshire.

“It would have a really good impact if so and boost pubs and hotels.”

Camra said: “The Bailey Head is a must-visit for beer lovers.

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“The pub has one of the largest beer ranges of any in Shropshire, claiming to have sold more than 3,400 different draught beers since opening in March 2016.

“Six constantly changing cask beers, always including one dark beer, are supplemented by 11 other draught beers, plus four ciders and a perry.

“The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) named the pub the UK’s Best Rural Independent Craft Beer Pub or Bar in 2020 and has been a finalist many times since.”