A 17th century coach inn on the outskirts of Toomebridge in County Antrim has been shortlisted for the final of BBC Countryfile pub of the year.

Entries from all over the UK have competed for the position taking over from last years winner, The Applecross Inn in the Scottish village of Applecross.

The Crosskeys Inn dates back to the late 1600’s and was once a coaching stop on the old Belfast to Londonderry road. In a listing of the top five pubs as nominated by Pete Brown, author of The Pub, on the Countryfile website it is described as “a must for those who want to experience pubs as they once were”.

 

Why not cast a vote on the website below and help take the award to Northern Ireland!

http://www.countryfile.com/article/pub-year

 

The List of Finalists below:

 

1) The Cross Keys Inn, Antrim 

A former 17th-century coaching inn, this is a must for those who want to experience pubs as they once were. It still has a thatched roof above the whitewashed walls. That can sound a little flat in print, but it fills you with pleasure when seen with your own eyes. 40 Grange Rd, Toomebridge, BT41 3QB https://crosskeys-inn.com/

 

2) The Earle Arms, Norfolk

This foodie destination in a private village is a shared secret among its patrons, who will hate me for divulging it. With chickens roaming outside, foxes stuffed inside and a lifetime’s dedication to horse-racing filling the walls, it’s a gentle rural idyll. The Green, Heydon, Norwich, NR11 6AD. earlearms.vpweb.co.uk

 

3) The Stein Inn, Isle of Skye 

Right on the waterside, the location of this wonderful inn is heartbreakingly beautiful. It would be difficult indeed to do something mundane in these surroundings, and Skye’s oldest pub lives up to its billing, all stone and wood, malt and seafood, served up with pride and warmth. Macleods Terrace, IV55 8GA. steininn.co.uk

 

4) The Strines Inn, Yorkshire 

It’s amazing how quickly you can get to this silent spot in the majestic moors from the centre of Sheffield. An ancient coaching inn, the Strines acquires new adornments as needed and gets rid of old ones as it feels. A perfect country inn. Bradfield Dale, Bradfield,
S6 6JE. thestrinesinn.webs.com

 

5) The Ty Coch Inn, Gwynedd

The perfect coastal pub? Ty Coch means ‘red house’ and it’s a distinctive building right on the beach of this tiny harbour clinging to the north-western tip of Wales. In summer, the beach becomes an addendum to the pub. In winter, the pub is battered by mighty waves. Porthdinllaen, Pwllheli, LL53 6DB. tycoch.co.uk