Paddy McGuinness crowns 'UK's smartest pubs'

Paddy McGuinness recently teamed up with pub operator Marston's to find the UK’s smartest pubs. 

From 1 to 22 May, weekly quizzes took place in over 200 Marston’s pubs across the UK, with one site each week being crowned as the 'Smartest Pub in the UK'.

The brainiest pubs each won £1,000 from Marston’s Charitable Foundation, which they could donate to a local cause or project close to their hearts. 

The campaign culminated in an afternoon of celebrations at the Weaver’s Whistle, where McGuinness (pictured) congratulated the winners, presented their chosen charities with their prizes and poured them a well-earned drink.

"Any afternoon spent in the pub is a good one, but this one was even more special," says McGuinness. "It was fantastic to meet the teams from the smartest pubs and their chosen charities and hear all about the amazing work they’re doing in their communities.

"Pubs really are at the heart of their communities, and I grew up in them with my family, so it has been an absolute pleasure to be involved and play a part in bringing people together for Marston’s Big Pub Quiz."

Which are the UK's smartest pubs?

The Green Lady in Caerphilly, Wales, took the title of Smartest Pub in the first week of the quiz and nominated Disability Can Do as their chosen charity to receive the prize donation.  

The second week saw The Queen’s Head in Bromsgrove, West Midlands, crowned the brainiest of the week. The pub chose Birmingham Children’s Hospital to receive the donation from Marston’s Charitable Foundation. 

The Cricketers Inn in Easton, Hampshire, was the next to be named the smartest pub and directed their prize donation to St Mary’s Church in Easton, a Grade I listed building, which dates back to the 12th century. 

Finnaly, The Black Diamond in Worksop, East Midlands, won the title of smartest pub in the final week of the quiz. Their grant went to the Remember Rich Rice Charity, which was set up by two of the pub’s regulars in honour of their son, who passed away. 

"It’s been fantastic to see so many people head down to their locals and get involved in the Big Pub Quiz over the last couple of months," says Claire Robertson, director of operations at Marston’s. "Getting all of our winners together in one place to celebrate was really important to us and we’re delighted that they got the chance to meet Paddy and be congratulated in person. 

"Each of our smartest pubs have picked brilliant community projects to donate their winnings to, and we’re very proud that we’re able to support them through the Marston’s Charitable Foundation."

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