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Barnsley CAMRA Pub of the Year 2026 is The Corner Tap micropub in Goldthorpe. Joint runners up are the Dodworth Tap, Dodworth and the Huntsman, Thurlstone.

The Corner Tap first opened in September 2020, at the height of Covid, so only got going properly in May 2021. It has since thrived as a rare real ale outlet in the east of our area but, more importantly, as a cornerstone of the local community. The pub’s interior is a quirky delight and is in two main parts. The front section has a variety of seating and wall-coverings (including distinctive wooden slats) plus an amazing corrugated-iron ceiling inspired by a café/tattoo parlour in Newquay. Up a couple of steps is the bar area with a wall made from old doors, a counter that repays close attention and a bit of seating. Off the corridor to the loos is a tiny snug area plus the door to a sheltered outside space. Interesting artefacts and odd details are everywhere you look. When asked what he wants the pub to be like, owner Dave Jarvis says he wants to recreate the atmosphere of those old clubs where local folk got together to enjoy each other’s company and conversation – the pub motto could be ‘it’s nice to talk’ Certainly, when I popped in on a Sunday afternoon to take the photo the place was buzzing though Dave reckoned it was the quietest it had been for a while. Folk were happily tucking in to the free buffet customers are encouraged to bring their own contributions to add to the feast. On the real ale front. Oakham Citra (my personal favourite beer) is now a fixture and Dave reckons it has converted quite a few regulars to drinking cask. Another pump will feature an Ossett beer, on this occasion Trip Hop #2. The third offering was an intriguing-looking caramel coffee stout, Swally Rat, a joint effort by Ossett and Vault City. The Tap is open Thursday 2-11 and Friday Sunday 11-11. It’s easily accessed by public transport, being just 50 metres from main bus routes and some 550 metres from the railway station. If you’ve never been, do yourself a favour and get along to this brilliant little pub.

Paul Ainsworth

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Barnsley CAMRA Pub of the Year 2025 is the George & Dragon, Summer Lane, Barnsley. Runner up is the still completely wonderful Heaven & Ale, Barnsley, winner for the past three years.

Our champion must, therefore, be pretty brilliant itself and, by George, it is. What for many years had been a tired, keg-only pub was bought by Andrew Page and his sister Diane back in 2019. It was all ready to open in late March 2020 when a certain event intervened, and it wasn’t until July that the pub could finally open its doors. Covid continued to interrupt proceedings so the first couple of years were a bit tricky but the G&D settled down to become a great community pub with a loyal customer base. Andrew is proud of the fact that they’re open every day from Noon so local folk have an alternative to the town centre pubs also open at those times.

On the real ale front, you can always choose from four immaculately-kept Yorkshire beers, one of which will be a stout or porter. Beers generally come from Nailmaker, Stancill, Chin Chin (a brilliant South Kirkby brewery), Abbeydale, Small World and Chantry. Andrew reports that the cask beers are increasingly popular even though there’s also a pretty impressive keg line-up.

This small but cosy pub never stands still and big improvements to the outside drinking area are planned for the near future, including outdoor music to supplement the always popular indoor live music nights.

On 2 April, Barnsley CAMRA members thronged the pub to see our Chairman, Andrew Taylor, present his fellow Andrew with the award and a great evening was had, lubricated by a typically fine selection of well-kept local ales. The G&D now goes forward to the Yorkshire Pub of the Year contest where we wish it well.

Paul Ainsworth Barnsley CAMRA