With just over a week remaining for people to vote for their favourite local in the Stroud News and Journal Pub of the Year competition voting has reached a ferocious level, with thousands of people clamouring to ensure that their favourite pub wins the accolade.

Votes are pouring in for the pubs with the warmest welcome, the best food and the finest ales, and it’s set to be closer than ever: every day another hundred entries slide into the SNJ inbox.

A full list of the shortlisted pubs appears at the bottom of this story, along with details of how to vote, and over the last five weeks we have been looking at each pub in detail.

This week we visit the Red Lion in Arlingham.

Brought by the village nearly six years ago, the pub underwent considerable refurbishment over a five-month period before reopening the doors as a free house on November 1, 2013.

The team at the popular country pub pride themselves in providing a universal warm welcome to anyone who crosses the threshold and promise that “whether you’re after a cup of coffee, thirst-quenching ale or locally sourced fresh food, the Red Lion Arlingham won’t let you down.”

One reader told us that the pub offered the perfect experience come rain or shine. They said: “Inside, it’s a cosy village pub and the garden also offers a lovely place to enjoy the summer and the great events they hold there. We love the bouncy castle!”

Others were quick to praise the easy hospitality that is always on offer to customers: “You are always greeted with a smile, and they are so attentive to customers,” they told us.

“What makes it even better is that it is owned by villagers, which means that they understand the importance of family events. We even had a bit of a sing-song together at Christmas.

“And then there’s unusual events such as pheasant plucking too!”

And it’s not just the great atmosphere, and community vibe that so many of our readers are happy with, they are also big fans of the pub’s delicious food.

“The menu is really varied. There’s such a great range on offer,” one happy customer said.

“And the prices are really fair too!”

Another woman was quick to recommend a trip to the pub for an “excellent” Sunday lunch, as well as keeping an eye out for the food that is on offer for an special events.

And it is that atmosphere, and the good tradition of a fantastic pub owned by the community it serves so well that has seen the Red Lion at Arlingham a firm favourite with the SNJ readers, winning over hearts and stomachs to join the other five pubs in the final.

To vote for your favourite then visit the Stroud News and Journal website, but be quick because voting closes in just over a week!

Voting instructions can be found in full there but the following rules apply:

  • Only one vote will be accepted per email address
  • Readers can only vote for the six shortlisted pubs
  • Voting will remain open until midnight Sunday, March 31. All votes received after that time will not be accepted
  • All six runners up will receive certificates
  • Landlords, managers and staff are also free to vote for their own pubs.
  • The pub with the most votes will be crowned Pub of the Year at the end of March.

The winners will be presented with our coveted trophy and certificate, as well as our special prize, a luxurious weekend for two at the historic Brocket Hall Estate in Hertfordshire.

The two-night break for two in Melbourne Lodge will include breakfast, dinner, a round of golf, and a personal tour of one of England’s finest stately homes.

Make sure you vote for your favourite pub by clicking on this link.