Final set of Countryside Alliance Awards winners announced!

Countryside Alliance has announced its winners and runners-up in the Countryside Alliance Awards, where businesses from across England have been crowned champions.

The Countryside Alliance Awards – now in their 17th year – recognise rural businesses across five categories, including ‘best local food’, ‘best butcher’, ‘best pub’, ‘best rural enterprise’, and ‘best village shop / post office’. These businesses go the extra mile within their communities, supporting the local economy and championing local goods and services.

Thousands of nominations from around the country were whittled down via a public vote, with the final few advancing to the finals. The winner of each category will go on to represent their region in the national champions reception at the House of Lords in June, competing against other finalists from around England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. 

Sarah Lee, Countryside Alliance Director of Policy, said:

"We are proud to be honouring these exceptional rural businesses, and the people behind them who are passionate about providing quality goods, services, and employment to rural communities and beyond. Running a business in a rural community isn’t easy, and it’s so important to celebrate the valued role these rural enterprises have in their communities. We look forward to seeing them in London at the national champions reception!"

Now, it's time to meet your winners!

East of England

Winners

• Butcher: Arthur Howell Butchers, Norfolk
• Local Food and Drink: The Wild Meat Company, Suffolk
• Pub: The Dambusters Inn, Lincolnshire
• Rural Enterprise: The Spud Barn, Lincolnshire
• Village Shop / Post Office: Gardoldisham Village Store and Post Office, Norfolk

Highly Commended

• Butcher: Bowthorpe Park Farm, Lincolnshire
• Local Food and Drink: Pells Farm Shop, Bedfordshire
• Pub: The Red Lion, Hertfordshire
• Rural Enterprise: LRH Livery, Norfolk
• Village Shop / Post Office: Henham Shop, Henham

Midlands

Winners

• Butcher: Paul Shum Family Butchers, Staffordshire
• Local Food and Drink: The Cheese Locker, Staffordshire
• Pub: Tally Ho, Shropshire
• Rural Enterprise: Claire Dyson Equine Water Treadmill & Rehabilitation Centre, Worcestershire
• Village Shop / Post Office: Village Stores Long Compton, Warwickshire

Highly Commended

• Butcher: Carters of Ludlow, Shropshire
• Local Food and Drink: Oteley Estate Farm Shop, Shropshire
• Pub: The New Inn, Northamptonshire
• Rural Enterprise: Perry's Field to Fork, Staffordshire
• Village Shop / Post Office: Trefonon Village Post Office and Shop, Shropshire

North of England

Winners

• Butcher: Broom House Farm, Durham
• Local Food and Drink: Yorkshire Wolds Apple Juice Co, North Yorkshire
• Pub: The Durham Ox, North Yorkshire
• Rural Enterprise: GunDogsDirect, South Yorkshire
• Village Shop / Post Office: Lowick Village Store, Northumberland

Highly Commended

• Butcher: Holmside Farm Fresh, County Durham
• Local Food and Drink: Levens Kitchen & Bakery, Cumbria
• Pub: The White Bear Hotel, North Yorkshire
• Rural Enterprise: Thimbleby Shooting Ground, North Yorkshire
• Village Shop / Post Office: Slaley Community Shop, Northumberland

South East

Winners

• Butcher: The Black Pig Butchers, Kent
• Local Food and Drink: West Lea Farm Shop, Hampshire
• Pub: Kings Arms Arundel, West Sussex
• Rural Enterprise: Smiles Sensory Family Farm, Kent
• Village Shop / Post Office: Fittleworth Village Stores, West Sussex

Highly Commended

• Butcher: Kevin Horn at Surrey Hills Butchery, Surrey
• Local Food and Drink: Wessex Spirits Ltd, Hampshire
• Pub: The Hanger, Hampshire
• Rural Enterprise: Honey Bee Happy Bee Farm, Hampshire
• Village Shop / Post Office: MB Farms, Kent

South West

Winners

• Butcher: Veysey's of Collumpton, Devon
• Local Food and Drink: Blackberry Farm Shop, Devon
• Pub: The York Inn, Somerset
• Rural Enterprise: Wessex Internet, Dorset
• Village Shop / Post Office: Child Okeford Village Shop, Dorset

Highly Commended

• Butcher: Exe Valley Farm Shop, Devon
• Local Food and Drink: Coldharbour Farm Shop and Field Kitchen, Devon
• Pub: Exmoor White Horse, Somerset
• Rural Enterprise: West Country Blacksmithing Ltd, Somerset
• Village Shop / Post Office: Hawtree & Sons Riverside Garage, Dorset