The Woodman enters June as the reigning champion, but with nominations now open, the search is on for Britain’s next great local pub.
Last month, pub lovers from across the United Kingdom came together to celebrate the venues that make Britain’s pub culture so special.
Hundreds of nominations were submitted.
Communities rallied behind their favourite locals.
Customers campaigned for the pubs they love.
And thousands of readers followed the competition as the votes came flooding in.
When the voting finally closed, one pub stood above them all.
The Reigning Champion
The Woodman, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent was crowned Pub Social People’s Pub Of The Month for May 2026 after receiving overwhelming support from customers and the local community.
The pub impressed voters with its welcoming atmosphere, strong community spirit, live entertainment and commitment to bringing people together.
The Woodman now enters June as the reigning champion and the pub every other venue in Britain will be trying to beat.
May’s Top Three
🥇 The Woodman, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent
🥈 Help Me Thro, Bury
🥉 The Golden Lion, Fareham
Together, these three pubs demonstrated exactly why Britain’s pubs remain at the heart of communities across the country.
They are more than places to enjoy a drink.
They are where friends meet after work.
Where birthdays are celebrated.
Where football matches are watched.
Where live music is enjoyed.
Where neighbours become friends.
And where communities come together.
But that was May.
This is June.
And the race for the crown starts again today.
Can Your Local Be Britain’s Favourite Pub?
Across Britain there are thousands of pubs.
Historic coaching inns.
Traditional ale houses.
Village locals.
Family-friendly pubs.
Riverside taverns.
Sports bars.
Modern gastropubs.
Every single one has loyal customers who believe their pub deserves recognition.
Now is your chance to prove it.
Whether your favourite pub is famous across the county or a hidden gem known only to locals, every venue has an opportunity to compete for the title.
This competition is not decided by judges.
It is not decided by industry experts.
It is decided by the people who know their local pubs best.
The customers.
The communities.
The people who walk through the doors every week.
How To Nominate
To nominate a pub, simply leave a comment in the comments section below this article with:
Pub Name
Town / Location
Why It Deserves To Win
That’s it.
Every nomination counts.
Every comment matters.
Every vote helps shine a spotlight on a pub that means something to its community.
Important
Only nominations and votes left in the comments section below THIS article will count.
Votes left on Facebook or any other social media platform will not be included in the final total.
The aim is simple – to create one place where pub lovers from across the United Kingdom can support the venues they genuinely care about most.
Supporting Britain’s Pubs
The People’s Pub Of The Month competition was created to celebrate the pubs that continue to play a vital role in communities across the country.
Whether your favourite pub is known for:
• Its atmosphere
• Its beer garden
• Its food
• Its staff
• Its live entertainment
• Its real ale selection
• Its charity work
• Its community events
• Or simply the feeling you get every time you walk through the door
Every pub deserves the opportunity to be recognised.
Pub Social is encouraging readers from every corner of the United Kingdom to get involved and support the pubs that matter most to them.
What’s At Stake?
The winning pub will receive:
The Pub Social People’s Pub Of The Month Award
Featured coverage on Pub Social
Promotion across Pub Social’s social media channels
A place in the Pub Social Hall Of Champions
Recognition from thousands of pub lovers across the United Kingdom
And perhaps most importantly of all…
Bragging rights.
One lucky voter who comments below the story will also receive a £50 bar tab at the winning pub.
Win A £50 Bar Tab
As well as helping your favourite pub compete for the title, every person who leaves a valid nomination or vote on this article will be entered into a prize draw.
One lucky supporter will win a £50 bar tab at the pub that is ultimately crowned Pub Social People’s Pub Of The Month for June 2026.
The winner will be selected at random from all eligible comments left on this article during the competition period.
Whether your favourite pub wins or not, every nomination gives you a chance to walk away with the prize.
The winning voter will be announced after the competition closes and contacted directly using the details provided with their comment.
So if you haven’t already nominated your favourite pub, now is the perfect time.
Support your local and you could be enjoying a £50 bar tab on us.
Pub Social Hall Of Champions
May 2026
The Woodman
Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent
Will The Champion Retain The Crown?
Can The Woodman successfully defend its title?
Could Help Me Thro or The Golden Lion go one step further?
Or will a completely new challenger emerge from somewhere else in Britain to claim the crown?
That decision now belongs to the public.
Nominations for June 2026 are officially open.
Leave your nomination in the comments below and let the battle for Britain’s favourite pub begin.
Real Pubs. Real People. Real Stories.
The Golden Lion Fareham, great pub with amazing staff, live bands, and so much more. something for all even down to a friendship evening for people to meet new people.
THE STEELWORKS Bredbury
Fabulous atmosphere so friendly and welcoming to everyone, live music every weekend. Quiz nights.
They do so much for different charities they go above and beyond for their customers.
Its more of a community pub as we all feel part of it .
Please check this bar out you wont be disappointed
The shepherds call in hyde Tameside
This pub has become the place to be on weekends and everyone loves the atmosphere here. The owners always have live entertainment and cater to the customers properly. This pub is becoming one of the busiest in Hyde and the staff are very accommodating.
Shepards call hyde deserve to win family friendly/ dog friendly pub friendly bar staff cosy pub got something for everyone pool table dart board duke box beer garden have djs bbs live acts live sport couldnt ask for anything more location- market street hyde
I would like to nominate The Shepherds Call in Hyde. They have a fantastic bunch of staff, lots of entertainment especially Dj Ste Kelly on a Friday night. Lots of variety of drinks available and will make whatever you want in a cocktail. The pub as changed alot over the last 12 months for the better. Nice size beer garden, conservatory for private functions, place is always clean. Stacey and the team are doing a fantastic job and deserve the recognition.
The Steelworks, Bredbury, community bar which supports many charities. Friendly and knowledgeable landlord/lady who put on a varied set of events so that all locals and visitors are catered for. You’re welcome if you pop in for a quick pint or want to make a night of it.