A proud moment for our independent Peak District country pub, made possible by our customers, community and brilliant team who have supported us over the years.
We're incredibly proud to announce that our pub, The Royal Oak at Hurdlow, has been named Pub of the Year in the East Midlands 2026, as part of the My Local Awards.
The result was announced on 1st September 2026 following public voting, making the recognition particularly special to us. It reflects the support of the people who visit The Royal Oak, recommend us to others and continue to return year after year.
For a pub that has always put its homemade food, customers and local community at the heart of what it does, there could hardly be a better way to celebrate what has been built here since 2008.
The My Local Awards are free-to-enter, publicly voted awards designed to recognise businesses valued by the communities they serve. Businesses cannot pay to be nominated or named a winner, and public votes are verified using a one-time code sent to the voter's phone. This is what makes this award especially meaningful to us.
The Royal Oak has always relied on something much more valuable than advertising alone. We rely on people enjoying their experience, coming back, recommending us and bringing their friends and family with them. To have that support recognised through a public vote is a huge compliment to our entire team.
There isn't one individual meal, event or customer behind this award. Instead, we see it as recognition of everything that makes The Royal Oak what it is: hearty, homemade food with generous portions, friendly service, a relaxed country pub atmosphere and above all, and a team who genuinely care about looking after our customers.
That approach has remained consistent over the years. We keep things simple and genuine, with a focus on homemade food, friendly service and creating an atmosphere that makes people comfortable returning again and again.
Many of our customers have been visiting since we took over The Royal Oak in 2008, while some members of our team have been with us for just as long. That loyalty means an enormous amount to us and makes a publicly voted award like this feel particularly special.