Best Rural Pub: The Plough in Wigglesworth leads Julian Smith’s Local Pub Awards 2025

The Plough in Wigglesworth has been crowned Best Rural Pub in Julian Smith MP’s Local Pub Awards 2025, a win that came straight from local residents after months of nominations and voting. For a village pub, it’s a big nod from people who use it week in, week out—proof that a well-run local can still punch above its weight in a tough market.

The awards cover the Skipton and Ripon constituency and are built around a simple idea: let regulars spotlight the places that make a difference in their daily lives. After a summer of public input, The Plough came out on top in the rural category, while The Black Swan in Ripon secured the overall Best Pub title for drawing the highest number of votes. In a year where many venues are juggling rising costs and staffing gaps, that level of community backing means more than a trophy on the wall.

A vote of confidence from locals

Organizers said the awards were designed to recognize pubs not just as places to grab a drink, but as social anchors, employers, and part of the region’s culture. That scope shows in the spread of winners across town and country. The Woolly Sheep Inn in Skipton took Best High Street Pub, while Sera from The Albion, Skipton, was named Staff Member of the Year—a reminder that people make the difference, not just the bar or the brand.

Here’s the snapshot of this year’s headline results:

• Best Pub (overall): The Black Swan, Ripon
• Best Rural Pub: The Plough, Wigglesworth
• Best High Street Pub: Woolly Sheep Inn, Skipton
• Staff Member of the Year: Sera, The Albion, Skipton

Other popular nominations rolled in for venues including The Albion in Skipton, The Kings Arms in Gargrave, and The Unicorn in Ripon. That spread hints at a healthy pub scene that reaches beyond city centers, with smaller communities still backing their locals.

At The Plough, staff marked the announcement with a low-key celebration, captured in photos shared locally. It fits the mood around Wigglesworth, where the pub is woven into village life—somewhere to meet after work, bring the family on a Sunday, or catch up with neighbors during the week. That everyday reliability often decides whether people are willing to vote for their local when the ballot opens.

Julian Smith MP confirmed certificates have been sent to category winners, with an in-person presentation planned for The Black Swan on an upcoming visit. It’s a small ceremony, but these moments tend to turn into busy nights for the winners, pulling in curious drinkers and giving regulars something to raise a glass to.

Why rural pubs matter—and what comes next

Rural pubs have been under pressure for years. Energy bills jump, supply costs creep up, and staffing can be a struggle when younger workers move to bigger towns. Yet the most resilient places adapt—tight menus with strong local sourcing, flexible opening hours, and events that fit the community rather than chase trends. Awards like these don’t fix the economics, but they shine a light on the pubs that are getting the basics right and earning loyalty in return.

In villages like Wigglesworth, a well-supported pub does more than pour pints. It gives older residents a reason to get out, creates part-time jobs for locals, and adds character that single-use venues can’t match. If you’ve ever arranged a birthday in a snug back room, listened to live music in a side bar, or joined the festive rush on a December weekend, you know the role these places play. People don’t just visit; they belong.

The voting process itself matters. When the community picks winners, it forces a conversation about what good looks like: consistent service, a welcome that works for everyone, fair prices for the times, and the kind of food and drink that bring people back. Pubs that don’t meet the mark tend to fade from these lists, while the ones that keep a steady standard rise to the surface.

There’s also a ripple effect. A rural pub with a fresh award often sees a short-term bump in trade, especially if locals share the news and out-of-towners add it to their weekend plans. That can nudge a venue to hire an extra pair of hands, update a beer garden, or bring back a community night. In a sector where margins are tight, even a modest lift can change the outlook for a season.

The spread of winners across Ripon, Skipton, and surrounding villages reflects a region that values its hospitality sector as part of its identity. Town pubs like the Woolly Sheep Inn serve a different rhythm—lunchtime service, after-work drinks, steady footfall—while rural venues like The Plough rely more on destination visits and repeat local trade. Both models can work. The awards show residents see the difference and support each on its own terms.

For The Plough, the challenge and the opportunity are the same: keep doing what brought the recognition. That’s usually a mix of friendly service, a menu that respects the season, and a bar list with a few local choices that regulars feel proud of. Add in small touches—welcoming walkers, making space for families, a fire in winter—and you get the kind of atmosphere that wins votes without a marketing budget.

The MP’s office says each category winner has received a certificate, which many pubs display near the bar. It’s a conversation starter and, frankly, a quiet reminder to keep standards up. As The Black Swan prepares for an in-person presentation, expect a few more social posts and busy nights across the group of winners. Locals like a success story they helped write.

What stands out this year is the balance: city-adjacent spots, village mainstays, and standout staff recognized side by side. That mirrors how people actually use pubs across North Yorkshire—sometimes for a quick pint after shopping in Skipton, other times for a family lunch miles from the high street.

So The Plough’s win isn’t just a line on a certificate. It’s a nod to the habits and loyalties that keep rural pubs alive. And for the places that finished close behind, the message is clear: keep the welcome warm, keep the standards tight, and the votes will follow next time around.