By Mike Arnold, 25 July 2026

What has approximately 450 pubs of which 2/3rds serve real ale? The answer: the area covered by the York Branch of CAMRA. So a visit for three days by Simon and Martin Whitehead and me would be taxing if a dent was to be made in that number. Suffice it say that staying in an apartment within the City walls did mean that everywhere worth visiting in the city was within walking distance. For me the highlights were visiting York Pub of the Year 2026 “The Last Drop Inn” and the 2025 winner “The Blue Bell” (reportedly the smallest pub in York) along with “The York Tap” on York station (20 cask ales plus a good few keg lines) and “The Ackhorne”. All offered really good local beers served in fabulous condition. Top beer? Again for me Rudgate’s Ruby Mild and Leeds Brewery Pale Ale (in “Plonkers” of all places). Another beauty was Rooster’s Peculier Assassin at “The York Tap”. York CAMRA’s website made it easy to make our picks and our plans for each day using the interactive beer map. Destination York? You bet – you know you want to.