LONGPARISH has been recognised as an outstanding destination for beer and hospitality.

The Plough Inn and The Cricketers have been included in the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Good Beer Guide of the best pubs in the country, published this week.

Just 4,500 out of the nation’s 50,000 pubs are listed in the guide, all of which undergo a rigorous selection process to seek out and promote the finest outlets for real ale across the UK. 

Chair of Longparish Parish Council, Peter Hull, is delighted to see both pubs recognised in this way.

He “We are so lucky to have these two fantastic pubs in our village and proud to see that The Good Beer Guide 2024 is naming them among the top pubs in Hampshire.”

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The Cricketers has been leased by Matt Etherington since 2020. Matt has developed the pub with an emphasis on fish and game dishes, and the pub has good food awards, as well as being selected for The Good Beer Guide for the third year.

Matt says: “We regularly change the ales, we tend to steer away from the 'big brands', and almost always have a Flower Pots beer, and beers from the West Country.”

The Plough Inn is owned by the community and runs as a village hub and pub.

Manager Ray O’Beirne said: “We recently marked our second anniversary with a sizzling barbecue and live entertainment - this recognition from CAMRA is another great reason to keep the celebrations going.”

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Nik Antona, CAMRA national chairman added: “The last few years have been an incredibly difficult time for the industry, and we need more support than ever before to keep our nation’s pubs open and thriving. I’d encourage everyone to use this year’s guide to visit the very best pubs across the UK and support them for generations to come.”

Cllr Hull agreed, adding: “These are difficult times for anyone in hospitality, so it’s great to see families and every generation (including their four-legged friends!) enjoying the beers and warm welcome at both The Plough and The Cricketers.”

CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide is aimed at pubgoers interested in being served a good pint of real ale, as well as those who wish to find a welcoming local nearby.