Former nightclub named Pub of the Year

Just three years after opening, a pub in a Grade II listed building on the site of a former nightclub has been awarded the Campaign for Real Ale’s coveted Pub of the Year award.

Sandford Park Alehouse in Cheltenham (Photo: Sandford Park)

The Sandford Park Alehouse in Cheltenham was opened in 2013 by Grant Cook, who purchased the site while he was on holiday in Thailand.

The award comes after the Gloucestershire pub won the South West round of the competition, putting it in contention with other regional winners from around the UK.

The Alehouse has ten real ale hand pumps and one dedicated to real cider. As well as an extensive real ale and food selection, the Sandford Park Alehouse also holds an annual cheese and cider festival.

Grant Cook, owner of the Sandford Arms Alehouse

Pub of the Year organiser Paul Ainsworth said: “The Sandford Park impressed the judges on every level, but especially the quality and choice of its real ales, where the scores were among the highest ever recorded in the contest.

“Judges also appreciated the stylish modern decor, the knowledgeable, welcoming staff and the lively atmosphere. One judge commented, ‘I might consider moving to Cheltenham!’ Given the all-round excellence of the other three finalists, a win this year is a great achievement.”

To win the National Pub of the Year competition, the Sandford Park Alehouse first had to win its local competition, and then fight off tough competition at the regional stage, before being put forward as one of four finalists – and then to be named overall winner.

The process took 12 months with hundreds of hours of judging by dedicated CAMRA volunteers and competition judges.

The three other finalists were The Drovers Rest in Carlisle, Kelham Island Tavern in Sheffield and The Yard of Ale, a micropub in Broadstairs, Kent.