CAMRA’s fiercely independent Good Beer Guide is more important than ever. As was made clear in CAMRA’s ‘Beer in the UK’ report, released earlier this year, the big brewers and pub companies have a strangle hold on the industry and are, through their greed and indifference to what good beer and a good pub should be, they are killing the industry. CAMRA is campaigning for a Competition and Markets Authority Review and a range of other actions. Our Good Beer Guide is part of that campaingn and a beacon of light shining on the best ales, which are on tap in so many good pubs and clubs, despite the best efforts of the big players in the pub and brewing industry.

The Good Beer Guide, compiled entirely from data collected by CAMRA volunteers is now in its 54th edition. Its role is simple. CAMRA is telling all who read where they can find excellent cask ale, much of which will be from local and independent brewers. Venues listed range from the newest micropub to the oldest of coaching inns. Ely & District CAMRA are allotted five entries, which means that every year we have a difficult choice to make about who will be in the guide.

This year, based on a competitive voting process involving the whole branch, we have chosen the West End House in Ely, the Drayman’s Son in Ely, The Carpenter’s Arms in Soham, the Plough in Little Downham and the White Horse at Witcham. Ely & District CAMRA congratulate all five of our GBG pubs and encourage all to visit them to taste the best ales in our area.

There follows a profile of each pub, which is accompanied by the numbers of each picture associated with each entry.

West End House, Ely
A short walk from the Cathedral and Oliver Cromwell's House, the Westie is a snug and welcoming local drinkers' pub, with low ceilings and four distinct drinking areas, plus an enclosed patio area. It is CAMRA Ely & District’s Pub of the Year for 2026 and a centre of local life, hosting many musical and societal groups for their social and practice sessions, as well as a home of always excellent ales.

Daz Swindell, Landlord and Steven Spencer, Ely & District CAMRA Vice Chair, with three excellent ales from Yorkshire, Cornwall and Kent.



Drayman’s Son, Ely
Small, welcoming micropub in a former shop, nostalgically themed with old railway and enamel signs. Up to 14 beers are generally available - four on cask, 10 on keg - plus a range of mostly real ciders, many sourced locally. The Drayman’s offers the broadest range of ales and keg beers in the city of Ely. The cellar is in a temperature-controlled back room. Drinks are generally delivered to the table. Local CAMRA Pub of the Year 2025 and Cider Pub of the Year 2026.

Zach and Chloe alongside Philip Eden, Ely & District CAMRA Chair and the famous beer board, showing all that is on offer.


Carpenter’s Arms, Soham
A popular and welcoming single-bar pub in the back streets of Soham. There is a separate games room at the rear with a pool table. An ale from Woodforde's is generally available plus two other guest beers, which are always in very good condition. Regular live music and other events are hosted. Local CAMRA Rural Pub of the Year 2025 and 2026.

Left to right, Steven Spencer, Ely & District CAMRA Vice Chair, Paul Jopson, Landlord and Philip Eden, Ely & District CAMRA Chair, in front of the real ale bar.



Plough, Little Downham
An early Victorian Grade II-listed pub, well preserved in character and charm. Two cask ales are normally served, generally from Cambridgeshire and East Anglia and always in excellent condition. Excellent Thai meals are available to eat in or take away. The pub supports the local community and has a strong community spirit. Locals gather in all seasons around a cosy outdoor wood fire to the rear, which adds to the community feel.

Left to right, Philip Eden, Ely & District CAMRA Chair, Sarawut Muenwan, Landlord and Tracy, local resident and CAMRA member.



White Horse, Witcham
Popular, family-friendly village pub with a constantly changing selection of real ales, mostly from East Anglia, always served in excellent condition. There is a dining area and pool table area. Witcham is home to the World Peashooting Championship, and the pub is home to a unique, depicting the past world champion in battle dress astride a white horse and with pea shooter held aloft. This is, apparently, one of only three pub signs in the world to depict a living person.

Left to right, Bruce Pattern, CAMRA member and advocate of rural pubs, John, Landlord, and of course two excellent ales.


White Horse, Witcham, showing the sign and the man in the sign, Ian Ashmeade, former peashooting champion and a regular in the White Horse who came along to see the GBG presentation.