The Ale House, Taunton, named pub of the year 2026

On February 10, The Ale House pub on Station Road, Taunton, was named Somerset CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) Pub of the Year 2026, beating out stiff competition across the county.

Formerly recognised as the Cricketers pub, this award-winning watering hole was recently named in a list of 4,500 pubs in the CAMRA's Good Beer Guide 2026. However, this award makes it stand out from the rest.

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The award gives special recognition to pub manager, Fiona Johnson, who has run the pub since 2016, with help from a pub company owner.

The Ale House on Taunton's Station Road has been named pub of the year by CAMRA. (Image: Harry Mockridge/Newsquest)

Fiona told the County Gazette: "I've been here for 10 years with a really good team behind me.

"It's taken a long time to get myself in the Good Beer Guide and the fact that I've won pub of the year is quite amazing.

"It's a lot of hard work, it takes a lot of effort behind the scenes to be able to keep real ale, and it's a lot doing this on my own with the help of my team."

It has taken Fiona time to get the pub to where it is now, with a recent exterior refurbishment and fine ale selection proving more than enough to beat out a hugely well-regarded pub in The Crossways Inn, West Huntspill, to the title of Somerset CAMRA Pub of the Year 2026.

Named as the runner-up for the award this time around, The Crossways Inn has previously been named pub of the year by CAMRA on six occasions, meaning that Fiona and her team are certainly among some of the best pubs in Somerset.

Fiona added: "It's taken me a while [to get to where the pub is now] because I'm with a pub co. It's not as easy to get locally sourced ales as if I were free trade, but Admiral Taverns [the owner] have been really good and I buy through Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA), which means I can get access to local ales."

Fiona said Taunton and Wellington MP Gideon Amos has been "very supportive" of the Ale House team and has even popped round for a pint from time to time.

"It's always good to see Gideon. He has been very supportive with the rates and he challenges parliament regularly on supporting pubs," said Fiona.

"I think he is doing a good job."

A good "crew" of regulars have adopted the Ale House as their local pub, with people regularly opting for the breakfast on offer, according to Fiona.

After winning this award, Fiona has revealed some future plans for the Ale House and congratulated a neighbouring pub for being named a runner-up by CAMRA.

"We don't have a quiz night but we are looking to do some quiz nights and other events. We want to continue to keep beer good.

"I think now that we're CAMRA pub of the year, we might give CAMRA members a 20p pint discount if they show their membership card.

"Also well done to the Plough for coming runner-up in the cider pub of the year category.

"We'll be doing a beer and cider festival again with them in May 2026.

"The best event we've had on here is when Status Quo were in Vivary Park [for Live in Somerset] and a couple of tribute bands asked if they could come and play here for the fans.

"Some of Quo actually ended up turning up and playing here.

"It was a great day."