By Amy Britton
Copyright cambridge-news
Every year, the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) releases the Good Beer Guide featuring pubs from across the UK that are the best in the business. The Good Beer Guide is the UK’s Best-Selling Beer and Pub Guide with it being updated by pub-goers all over the UK.
For the 2026 version, 14 pubs dotted around Cambridgeshire have been added to the guide. If you are new to the county or want to try something different from your usual local, you can start by visiting one of these pubs.
From venues in the city of Cambridge to pubs found in tiny villages, you should be able to find somewhere for a family outing or night drinking with friends. You can find out which pubs were added to the guide below and buy the guide for 2026 on the CAMRA website.
The Red Lion
Location: High St, Brinkley, Newmarket CB8 0RA
The Red Lion is a traditional British pub that “where possible” works to help local businesses “to thrive in showcasing our region”. The pub has a few different food menus including snacks, small plates, and a dinner menu with a range of mains and desserts to try out.
It might be worth visiting the Red Lion on a day where the weather is nice, as the pub has a huge south-facing garden to enjoy a pint in.
The Pickerel
Location: 30 Magdalene St, Cambridge CB3 0AF
Known as one of the oldest pubs in Cambridge, the historic Pickerel can be found right near to the River Cam. Looked after by Greene King, the Pickerel has “ghosts, a flamboyant past and malting house legacies”.
The pub likes to keep things traditional with its menu containing classic dishes like fish and chips, steak and ale pie, and burger options.
The Cross Keys Hotel
Location: 12-16 Market Hill, Chatteris PE16 6BA
This family-run pub is found in an old 16th Century Coaching Inn and has become an important part of the local community by holding a monthly pub quiz to raise money for local charities and causes. The pub also does a range of food such as sandwiches and toasties for a light lunch and different main meals in the evening.
If you want to extend your stay in the area, the Cross Keys has a range of rooms to book including twin and double rooms with en-suites. According to the pub, it offers a “unique stay in a ‘Countryside’ setting”.
The Black Bull
Location: 32 Post St, Godmanchester, Huntingdon PE29 2AQ
As well as having real ales, The Black Bull serves locally-made pies, Sunday roasts, and many pub classics. The pub is also dog-friendly so no member of the family will be left out of the outing.
The Black Bull also has rooms and a function room making it a good place for hosting weddings, birthdays, and events.
The Pheasant
Location: 24 Heydon Rd, Great Chishill, Royston SG8 8SR
The Pheasant is described as “a quintessential country pub with fine cuisine, handpicked wines, and a welcoming atmosphere”. The pub was built in 1635 and has wood fires to keep guests warm through the winter with a few different menus available to get some food.
Found at the highest point in Cambridgeshire, the Pheasant’s pub garden has great views of the countryside with outdoor dining available on the deck.
The Griffin Hotel
Location: Isleham, E ly CB7 5RX
The Griffin Hotel is a 16th century pub with real fires and a wooden framed ceiling that can be found directly across from Isleham’s “impressive” local church. The pub serves four ales including three regular ones and has a “well stocked bar”.
The Griffin Hotel has been praised for having a “nice relaxed, friendly atmosphere” and “absolutely delicious” food.
The Pheasant
Location: Keyston, Huntingdon PE28 0RE
The Pheasant has a “relaxed yet bustling bar” with “an open fire, comfy chairs, and cosy corners”. The pub is stocked with real ales, cocktails, mocktails, and has an extensive wine list to go alongside its food menu of small plates and main meals.
The Pheasant also does a steak night on Thursdays where you can get three courses for £31.95 and you don’t even have to have steak if you don’t want to.
The Red Lion
Location: 214 The St, Kirtling, Newmarket CB8 9PD
This Grade II listed village pub has a “traditional” feel to it with quiz nights and music events taking place regularly. The Red Lion serves two changing cask beers that are sourced from small regional breweries to go alongside the pub’s food menu and “special weekly food evenings”.
The Red Lion also has some space to sit outside when the weather is particularly nice.
The Green Man
Location: 39 The Avenue, Leighton Bromswold, Huntingdon PE28 5AW
The Green Man is described as being the “perfect country spot for relaxing after a hard days work or getting together with family and friends”. The pub has a function barn called the Bling Pig, after the pub’s original name, that can be booked for weddings and events.
The Green Man is currently only open for drinks but the pub has plans to introduce food at some point this year.
The Plough
Location: 106 Main St, Little Downham, Ely CB6 2SX
The Plough is an early Victorian Grade II listed pub that is “well preserved in character and charm”. Rather than your usual pub grub, the Plough serves a range of Thai dishes including soups, stir fries, and curries to enjoy alongside a drink.
The food is also available to take away if you want to enjoy it in the comfort of your own home.
The Brewery Tap
Location: 80 Westgate, Peterborough PE1 2AA
The Brewery Tap, which can be found in the old labour exchange, has created a pub to suit everyone with a dance floor and sofa area. The pub is home to an award-winning micro-brewery called Oakham Ales, which opened in 2006 and now, its ales are stocked in shops like M&S and Waitrose as well as being exported around the world.
In terms of food, the Brewery Tap has an extensive Thai menu with grilled dishes, curries, noodles, and many starters to test out.
The Butcher’s Arms
Location: 68 Canterbury Rd, Werrington, Peterborough PE4 6PA
Found in an old butcher’s shop, the Butcher’s Arms is a small pub that only opened last year. Run by the ex-landlady of the Ploughman in Werrington, the pub is set in a “lounge-style room with comfortable seating and fixtures”.
The pub has a range of national and regional ales as well as ciders and a variety of events like quiz nights and cheese nights.
The Black Horse
Location: 6 High St, Rampton, Cambridge CB24 8QE
The Black Horse has been named the CAMRA Rural Cider Pub of the Year for 2025. If you fancy something sweet, the Black Horse has a range of homemade cakes available as well as ciabattas for a light lunch and different food vans setting up outside each Sunday.
The pub has six keg beers all from independent breweries as well as tea, coffee, and hot chocolate for those who don’t want something alcoholic.
The Carpenters Arms
Location: 76 Brook St, Soham, Ely CB7 5AE
The Carpenters Arms was awarded the local CAMRA Rural Pub of the Year for 2025. The pub has a single bar with a separate games room with a pool table.
The pub stocks a beer from Woodforde’s Brewery alongside two other guest beers and holds regular events and live music shows.
