Best pubs in West Yorkshire ranked and rated in Camra's Good Beer Guide

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A new list of pub names has been revealed in a prestigious pub guide celebrating West Yorkshire pubs.

The Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) have announced ten new names to their 'Good Beer Guide' for 2026. According to their website, CAMRA is considered one of the most successful consumer organisations across Europe. It was all started by four real ale enthusiasts back in 1971 and is continued by a committee who represents beer drinkers and pub-goers aim to promote establishments across the UK.

A great pub is about the atmosphere, the staff, the delicious menu but of course the offers of traditional ales. Pubs are always honoured to be in the published book as it makes them a landmark for tourists but is also a matter of pride for locals in the area.

See below who made the list for next year's book and what CAMRA has said about the establishments. If you would like to buy next years book click here.

West Yorkshire The Junction

Baildon, BD17 6AB

CAMRA Bradford Branch Pub of the Year 2025 - Winner (Outer Bradford)

The guide's website explains to readers that the pub is under new ownership and extensively refurbished. It says: "This popular and friendly local re-opened in Jan 2024. It comprises a comfortable lounge, public bar and a games/seating room.

"A generously sized, multi-level beer garden is located to one end of the building and is popular in good weather. Four hand-pulls serve a varying range of cask ales, often from local breweries but can be from further afield.

"A fifth hand-pull serves cider. Eight keg taps offer craft beers, lagers, Guinness and cider. Bottled and canned beers are also sold. A quiz is held on Thursday nights and there is an open-mic music night on the first Friday of the month. A meat raffle is drawn every Sunday at 5pm.

"There is a 10% discount on cask ales, Mon-Wed, from 7.00pm. A 10% discount is also offered on take-outs. Last orders is 30mins before closing."

Railway

Berry Brow, Huddersfield HD4 7LT

A much loved and welcoming village local with four beautifully kept cask ales from Ossett and Timothy Taylor.

"Mallinson's and Wensleydale periodically appear as guest beers. Happy hour Monday-Friday, 50p discount per pint. Extended happy hour, 12-6, on Fridays. Sports fans are catered for with both Sky and TNT sports channels.

"There is a cosy snug with a real fire in winter, and a three-tiered beer garden. Dogs welcome inside and out. An established acoustic venue with weekly bands."

The Crown

Great Horton Rd, Bradford BD7 4AH

CAMRA describes The Crown as a large, traditional, multi-roomed pub, It says: "Alongside the main road and with good views. It is semi-open plan but with a multi-room feel.

"With a local pub ambience, it serves a wide ranging clientele and is family friendly. The four handpulls serve three regular real ales and a guest, often from the local area.

"There is a cask ale promotion on Mondays. Numerous TV screens throughout the pub show sports.

"A range of events take place throughout the week. There are various meals deals including a 'Lunch Club' on Mondays to Saturdays until 5pm. A good value Sunday roast is offered.

"A 'Blue Light' discount is offered. A free quiz and "Crack the Safe" competition is held every Thursday evening. Bingo takes place on, usually, the last Friday of the month."

Three Swords

New Rd Side, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 4QB

Celebrating its reopening, CAMRA said: "Re-opened August 2023 as a Kirkstall Brewery pub.

"There is one large room with a curved bar in the back left corner and a raised area on the right hand side with booth seating.

"The main central area has a mixture of high and low seating. The walls are decorated with various brewery memorabilia. There is outdoor seating on a decked area to the left of the pub.

"The food available is a range of Indian dishes provided by Karobar. Quiz night on Tuesdays."

Dog & Gun Inn

Oxenhope BD22 9SN

One for the history lovers, is this 17th Century pub. CAMRA said: "This Timothy Taylor tied house is one of the highest 17th century coaching inns in West Yorkshire.

"This traditional stone building has been sympathetically extended over the years.

"The emphasis is on food, but locals also support the pub for its ale, warming open fire and good service. Run by the same family since 1994, the pub hosts numerous charity events throughout the year.

"Private parties can be booked in the separate restaurant areas. In the Wells Restaurant to the right of the bar, you can see the original well through a glass floor panel.

"The view over Leeming with its reservoir to the Worth valley and Pennines beyond is stunning. The national walking trail the Pennine Way is close by.

"Accommodation and a conference facility is available at the Leeming Wells Hotel which is next to the pub. The annual Oxenhope Charity Straw Race finishes at the pub."

Crossed Shuttle

Pudsey, LS28 7BJ

A Wetherspoons has managed to score a place on the 2026 list. CAMRA said: "Smaller than most Wetherspoon pubs, the building dates from the mid-fifties and replaced an earlier Black Bull that was built in 1770.

"The pub's name derives from a tool used in the weaving industry, which was prominent in the area and was featured in the Borough of Pudsey's coat of arms.

"The guest beers are comprised of a mixture of local, regional and national beers. There is a paved drinking area at the front with red, white and blue chairs."

Beehive

Shipley, BD18 3HH

This yellow building is the place to - bee! CAMRA said: "Stone-built former Hammonds house, built in 1870, previously the Shipley Pride, opened under new ownership in December 2018 as the "Beehive" reflecting an even earlier incarnation when it was known as the Beehive Hotel. "It then changed ownership again in June 2023 after a period of closure. "A traditional local, it comprises two ground floor rooms that have been opened up to form a larger single room with a central bar. To the right-hand side, the room has stone walls and leaded windows.

"To the left-hand side, the room has extensive wood panelling, crimson walls and more leaded windows. Church pews provide seating throughout. A snug to the back has stone walls, tiled flooring and numerous leather seats. Up to six cask ales are available via hand-pull usually including a dark beer."

A house beer 'Beehive Blonde' has started being stocked although its provenance is currently unconfirmed. Three ciders are also available via hand-pull (although these are often not 'real' as defined by CAMRA).

"A further eight taps serve keg beers. "A large basement room, known as "The Honey Pot", houses an additional bar with three hand-pulls and can be hired for functions and events.

"Cask club Mon-Thu 12-6pm with ales being sold at a reduced price (no CMARA discount during this period). A quiz is held on Tuesday nights and an open-mic night on Wednesdays. A poetry group meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month. A DJ plays late afternoon / early evening on Sundays.

"Shipley railway station and the bus interchange are close by and there is free car parking in the adjacent car wash after 6pm."

Goat's Head

Steeton, BD20 6NR

This is more than a 'roadside pub' according to CAMRA. They said: "This roadside pub has a large main bar area, divided into three, with a pool table to the rear. A separate room to the right just inside the door hosts two darts boards.

"Several TV screens. There is a pleasant secluded rear courtyard. The pub has a strong community focus and competes in the local darts and dominoes leagues.

"Quiz every second Thursday. Live bands Saturday. Disco/karaoke every 4th Friday, open mic every 4th Sunday. Guest beers are sourced locally. Keighley and Craven CAMRA Community Pub of the Year 2024."

The Fox

Todmorden, OL14 5AB

In the guide's website, it says: "NB - currently expecting to be closed on Mondays due to improvement works being carried out.

"The former Pub changed ownership in August 2024 following the retirement of its proprietors, and gained its new name in October. The new licensees are continuing in a similar model, although with sympathetic improvements to the decor and seating.

"The central room of the three is the bar, with six handpumps and a wall of fifteen taps in the modern style, ten of which are dedicated to craft beers, and a refrigerator for a craft bottles and cans. Rooms off to the left and right now incorporate new seating and tables, with the toilet located in the left-hand room.

"One small step at the front door, and level access is possible via the door nearest Halifax Road, please ask if assistance is required. The toilet has level access but is not fully wheelchair compliant."

Inns of Court Hotel

Wakefield, WF1 2SR

On CAMRA's website it warns that the pub is cash only and has no card facilities. It also adds:

"An imposing three storey hotel tucked away among narrow streets housing solicitors' practices, offices and law courts. It was known as the Royal Oak 1794-1883. The long open-plan lounge bar is divided into small drinking areas; popular with members of the legal profession, their clients and students. Up to four cask beers."

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