Three pubs with connections to our area have been named among The Telegraph’s Guide to the 650 Best Pubs in the UK, a new selection that aims to celebrate character, quality and community across Britain.
Local pubs recognised for atmosphere and quality
On the list are The Brown Cow on Ratcliffe Gate in Mansfield, together with two nearby venues: The Horse & Jockey in Selston and The Final Whistle in Southwell. The guide emphasises places that offer a warm welcome, good beer and a strong sense of community — qualities regulars in Mansfield will recognise.
The inclusion is the latest accolade for The Final Whistle, which also recently retained CAMRA’s Nottinghamshire Pub of the Year award for a second successive year. Jo Hultum, who runs The Final Whistle with her partner Oliver Brown, has led the venue for 12 years and will know well how much such recognition matters to small operators and their customers.
"Despite desperate operating conditions, Britain still has hundreds of magnificent pubs, offering warmth, atmosphere, character and fantastic drinks,"
The guide was compiled by a panel of six experts who visited and assessed hundreds of pubs across the country. Judges looked for a combination of character, history and high-quality drinks, and the online edition includes filters to help readers find pubs by postcode, beer garden or overnight stay options.
What this means locally
For Mansfield residents this is a timely reminder of the strength of the local pub scene. Recognition in a national guide can attract visitors from further afield, support local jobs and boost surrounding businesses. It also underlines the value readers place on familiar, well-run local meeting places after a challenging period for hospitality.
- Venues named: The Brown Cow (Mansfield), The Horse & Jockey (Selston), The Final Whistle (Southwell)
- Judging panel: Six pub experts for The Telegraph
- Criteria highlighted: atmosphere, quality drinks, character and community
| Pub | Location | Notable detail |
|---|---|---|
| The Brown Cow | Ratcliffe Gate, Mansfield | Included in the Telegraph’s 650 Best Pubs |
| The Horse & Jockey | Church Lane, Selston | Listed among the best in the UK |
| The Final Whistle | Station Road, Southwell | Also CAMRA Nottinghamshire Pub of the Year |
Readers wanting to explore the full list can do so via The Telegraph’s online guide, which covers the whole of the UK and allows searches by county or postcode. For locals, the message is clear: some of the best-loved spots in and around Mansfield are being noticed far beyond Nottinghamshire, and that is something to raise a glass to.
