The MA's

Top 20

UK Pubs

2005

Last year, the Morning Advertiser's first poll of the UK's top pubs as voted for by the industry was the talk of the trade. This year, it's bigger and better, with over 500 senior figures voting. ROSIE DAVENPORT and JO de MILLE unveil the country's top 20 pubs as picked by the experts

Guidebooks are one thing, but it's hard to beat word-of-mouth recommendations when it comes to finding a good pub. And who is better placed to offer their suggestions than those really in the know the industry's leading opinion formers.

From food to live music via unusual collections and top-class customer service, the pubs that have been nominated each have a unique selling point that sets them apart from the opposition and makes them a truly great pub.

In each case, we have given a pub's ranking in our 2004 poll or stated that they are a new entry. Where there has been a change in position, it does not necessarily signify that standards have slipped since last year, but is more a reflection of the size of our poll, which has more than doubled from the 250 industry representatives we asked in 2004.

Naming their top three pubs was a tough call for many of our voters, testimony to the number of venues that are run to high professional standards, the bedrock of a vibrant, successful pub.

As well as representing all that a good pub should offer, our final list of the UK's top 20 outlets celebrates the trade's diversity, with freehouses, tenanted, leasehold and managed pubs all gaining spots in our poll.

Have we missed out your top pub? Tell us about it by e-mailing

rosie.davenport@william-reed.co.uk