A HUMSHAUGH pub has been recognised as the best in Northumberland.

The Crown Inn has been named a county winner at the National Pub & Bar Awards 2023.

The awards aim to highlight the positive and inspiring work being carried out across the UK’s hospitality industry.

A total of 94 pubs across the country have been crowned, including The Bay Horse at Hurworth and the Three Mile in Gosforth.

Crown owner David Harding, from Otterburn, has expanded and improved the pub since taking it on over 10 years ago.

He said: "Because we totally weren't expecting it, I'm still taking it in.

"We are a country pub and we don't try and be anything else, we do traditional pub food. It's all fresh, we make it all here.

"We're trying to do what we do and do it right, and if a customer turns up and enjoys what they had, we can't do any more than that.

"We're also very much known as the car pub, we have all the super car and motorbike meets, tractor day. We try to do something to cover everybody."

The pub also has league-winning pool teams and hosts buskers.

David added: "On one hand, we're a destination pub and on the other, we're very much a hub of the community.

"There are so many crowns, everything that I do, I include the village name."

An awards ceremony will take place in June in London, where county winners will discover which pubs will be taking home a regional title, as well as which is to be named the UK’s best.

Tristan O’Hana, editor of Pub & Bar magazine, said: “We were overwhelmed by the level and quality of entries this year.

“It just goes to show what magnificent work is going on across the UK hospitality sector.

"With outrageous energy costs, recruitment shortages and a punishing taxation system, these businesses are once again facing tough times.

“Now, more than ever, it’s vital that people support their local pubs and bars. So, ahead of the long Easter weekend, why not check out the finest in your county?”