Burton’s pubs have long been a source of local pride. Now, it seems, the rest of the country is finally catching up.
There are some things in Burton upon Trent that locals have never needed telling.
We know about the brewing heritage. We know about the beer. And, perhaps most importantly of all, we know that Burton has some seriously good pubs.
Now we have national recognition to back us up.
The Telegraph has named Burton as one of England’s 10 greatest pub towns, with travel writer Will Hawkes praising the town’s extraordinary brewing history and the collection of traditional pubs that has grown from it.
And frankly, we couldn’t agree more.
A Town Built on Beer
Burton’s relationship with beer is hardly a secret.
For generations, the town was at the heart of the global brewing industry, with its name becoming synonymous with brewing excellence. Although the industry is not what it once was, that history remains written into the town, not just in the breweries and buildings, but in the pubs where people have been enjoying a pint for generations.
The Telegraph points to that brewing heritage as one of the reasons Burton deserves its place among England’s greatest pub towns.
And that makes perfect sense.
Because in Burton, going to the pub isn’t simply about finding somewhere to have a drink. It can feel like stepping into a living piece of the town’s history.
The Pubs That Put Burton on the Map
The Telegraph highlights several Burton pubs, including the Coopers Tavern, Devonshire Arms and The Elms.
It also gives special praise to the Burton Bridge Inn, which has its own brewery at the back, making it a particularly fitting place to appreciate Burton’s brewing tradition.
Then there are Stoke pubs such as The Coachmakers Arms and The Golden Cup, with its striking green tiled Bass front exterior, which the article also singles out.
Together, they demonstrate exactly what makes Burton special.
These aren’t interchangeable chain venues that could be anywhere in the country. They have character. They have history. And they have connections to the town and its brewing past.
That matters.
More Than Just a Pint
One of the most interesting things about the Telegraph’s list is that it isn’t simply about where you can get a decent pint.
The article celebrates towns with strong traditional pub cultures, affordable drinks and community-focused pubs, places where the pub remains an important part of everyday life.
That description fits Burton rather well.
A great Burton pub isn’t just somewhere you walk into, order a drink and leave. It is somewhere you might bump into someone you know, settle into a familiar seat, discover a beer you haven’t tried before or spend a few hours putting the world to rights.
It’s that sense of community and character that makes the town’s pubs worth celebrating.
Burton’s Brewing Story Isn’t Finished
Of course, Burton’s brewing heyday may be behind it.
The Telegraph acknowledges that the town is much reduced from the brewing powerhouse it once was, although significant brewing operations remain.
But perhaps that makes the pubs even more important.
They provide a connection between the Burton of today and the Burton that became famous around the world for its beer.
Walk into the right pub and you’re surrounded by reminders of that history. The buildings, the names, the beer and the traditions all tell part of the story.
And while Burton may have changed, its pub culture has proved remarkably resilient.
So, Is Burton Really One of England’s Greatest Pub Towns?
According to The Telegraph: yes.
According to the people of Burton: absolutely.
The national recognition is nevertheless something to celebrate.
Out of towns and cities across England, Burton has been singled out as one of just ten places that stand out for their pub culture.
For a town with such a remarkable brewing past, it feels like a fitting accolade.
So the next time someone asks what makes Burton special, you could give them a history lesson about Bass, brewing, Burton water and the town’s place in the development of the beer industry.
Or you could keep it simple.
Take them to the Coopers.
Then the Devonshire Arms.
Then the Burton Bridge Inn and The Elms.
Give them a pint.
We’ll let them make up their own minds.
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