SWINDON publicans are raising a glass after being featured in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2018.

The Beehive, Blunsdon Arms, Glue Pot, Hop Inn, Savoy and Wheatsheaf all made the latest edition of the publication, considered the Bible of the best real ale.

Jon and Kayleigh Hughes landed their first listing since taking over at the Wheatsheaf in Newport Street, Old Town, last April. They are staying true to the traditional pub ethos in their first permanent berth after moving around in temporary ‘holding’ roles.

Kayleigh said: “We don’t scream and shout about what we do but it’s quite nice to be featured in the guide, we just went along with it. We look after out beers and people come to us because they like Wadworth pubs. Before we moved in we had been at council estate and social boozers, so it’s good to be in a friendly, traditional pub. People come here for a good old-fashioned pub and everybody is friendly. We are dog-friendly and we don’t have WiFi, which we find is quite nice. After moving six times in the last eight years we are settling down and planning for the future.”

The listing praised the pub’s six handpumps and six wooden casks behind the bar, though the beer is pumped from steel casks in the cellar. It reads: “The guest ale comes from the Wadworth list.

“The front bar is cosy while the back bar opens up into a larger area.”

The Hop Inn on the Devizes Road continued its run in the guide after being hailed as a “genuine free house” that has become a “popular destination for real ale lovers”.

Manager Jack Arnold said: “It’s always a pleasure to feature in the guide. We have featured in it every year since we opened in 2014 and it’s good that we are recognised for doing it right and doing it well. It’s always a pleasure to serve a decent product. In terms of Swindon what sets us apart is that we are not tied to Arkell’s or Wadworth breweries and we can offer variety.”

The Savoy in Regent Street earned praise for its “large selection of well-kept beers” after impressing local Campaign for Real Ale members.

Manager Christopher Stevens said: “I am delighted that The Savoy has been recognised for the quality of its real ales by CAMRA members.

“We offer our customers an excellent range of real ales at all times, including those from regional brewers and microbrewers, as well as hosting our own beer festivals.

“Staff at the pub work hard to ensure that the real ales on offer are kept in first-class condition at all times and the pub’s inclusion in the guide highlights this.”

In Royal Wootton Bassett The Five Bells made the latest edition, along with the Red Lion in Cricklade, the Bridge House in Chippenham and the Rose & Crown in Highworth.

The guide is revised and updated every year with details of more than 4,500 pubs across the country.