Nominate Dartmoor’s best shops, pubs and farms for Rural Oscars 2026

The Countryside Alliance Awards, known as the Rural Oscars, are back for 2026, with nominations now open. 

The awards celebrate the people, shops, pubs and businesses that help rural communities across Britain, including here on Dartmoor, to thrive.

Local butchers, village shops, community pubs, farm shops and small rural enterprises all play a vital role in daily life on the moor. 

READ NEXT: How you can help restore Dartmoor’s woodlands this October

The awards aim to recognise those who go the extra mile for their neighbours, protect rural traditions and support the next generation.

Categories include:

• Village Shop & Post Office
• Butcher
• Pub
• Local Food
• Rural Enterprise
• Clarissa Dickson Wright Award

Nominations close on 12 December. Regional finalists will then head to London next summer, where winners will be announced at a ceremony in the House of Lords.

Sarah Lee, Director of Policy and Campaigns at the Countryside Alliance, explained why the awards matter:

“These businesses matter. They provide more than just goods and services; they are lifelines that keep rural communities thriving. They are places where friendships are made, where skills and traditions are passed down and where innovation meets heritage.”

She added: “It takes just a few minutes to put forward your favourite rural business or project, but your nomination could make a lasting difference. Every nomination is carefully considered, with regional finalists chosen before national winners are announced in 2026.”

For many past winners, the awards have boosted morale, strengthened ties with their communities and opened the door to new opportunities.

Lee said: “Rural Britain thrives when we celebrate and support those who make it unique. 

So if you know a business, pub or shop that goes above and beyond, now is the time to tell us.”