The Countryside Alliance held its annual ‘Rural Oscars’ awards ceremony this afternoon (Wednesday 8 July) , where rural businesses from across the UK were crowned champions.
Now in their 19th year, the Countryside Alliance Awards recognise rural businesses across five categories, including best local food and drink, best butcher, best pub, best rural enterprise, and best village shop or post office. These businesses go the extra mile within their communities, supporting the local economy and championing local goods and services.
The Clarissa Dickson Wright Award was also presented at the ceremony. Instituted in 2013, the award reflects the much-missed cook’s belief in campaigning, educating, and prioritising slow food, taste, quality, and support for farmers and producers. It celebrates businesses that focus on strong animal husbandry and butchery, support slow and artisan food, foster farming heritage, and take action to educate and inform.
Regional champions from across the country attended the event, each hoping to be named a national champion.
Thousands of nominations from around the UK were whittled down through a rigorous judging process, with the finalists honoured at the national awards ceremony held at the House of Lords in London, kindly hosted by Lord Hart of Tenby. The event was attended by both MPs and Peers.
Sarah Lee, Director of the Countryside Alliance Awards, said:
“Now in their nineteenth year, the Countryside Alliance Awards continue to showcase the amazing people and enterprises that form the beating heart of rural Britain. These stories of diligence, innovation, hard work and community camaraderie deserve to be heard in the corridors of power.
“Whether you’re here representing a village pub, a local shop, a family farm, or a rural enterprise, you are all champions of the countryside and the communities that live there.
“These Awards are about more than just business. They are a celebration of the people and values that keep rural life alive, commitment to community, a passion for produce, innovation, sustainability, and good old-fashioned hard work. It’s a privilege to welcome such exemplary standard bearers of rural Britain to Westminster.
“Good luck to all of you. Your perseverance, ingenuity and toil have brought you this far, and whatever happens next, you should all be incredibly proud of what you’ve achieved.”
The Grand Champions of the 2026 Countryside Alliance Awards are as follows. You can read the speech citations here.
In the butcher category, Broom House Farm, County Durham, was named champion, celebrating field-to-fork excellence through organic farming, traditional butchery, and community engagement. Paul Shum Family Butchers, Staffordshire, was highly commended.
In local food and drink, Kendal Farmers Market, Cumbria, was crowned champion, having become the beating heart of local food in the region by championing producers within 30 miles, nurturing new rural businesses, and bringing communities together. Welbeck Farm Shop, Nottinghamshire, was highly commended.
In the pub category, Tafarn Sinc, Pembrokeshire, was named champion. Saved by its community and sustained by volunteers, it stands as a true rural institution rooted in local food, Welsh culture, and community spirit. The Halfway House Country Pub, Co. Antrim, was highly commended.
March House Farm, Leicestershire, took the rural enterprise title, showcasing modern farming through a combination of food production, retail, hospitality, and education, while creating local jobs. Field & Fodder, County Durham, was highly commended.
In the village shop and post office category, Elton Village Store, Cambridgeshire, was named champion, having been transformed from a long-empty building into a thriving community hub supporting local producers and village life. Brown’s Tobermory, Isle of Mull, was highly commended.
The Clarissa Dickson Wright Award was presented to Welsh Organic Tannery, Carmarthenshire, which champions traditional craftsmanship by transforming locally sourced hides into high-quality leather, supporting sustainable farming, preserving rural skills, and creating skilled rural employment.
The Countryside Alliance Awards continue to highlight the strength, resilience and innovation of rural businesses across the United Kingdom, and their vital role in supporting communities and sustaining the rural economy.