Christmas dinner… on the house

CAMRA highlights pubs offering free Christmas dinners to those in need

If you’re at a loose end this Christmas with no family or friends nearby, your local pub might be able to help.

These pubs are offering Christmas dinner on the house to the elderly, vulnerable, lonely, or just anyone needing company this year.

CAMRA’s National Chairman Nik Antona said: “These are shining examples of how pubs play a pivotal role in our local communities. Having a safe and welcoming place to celebrate Christmas can make a tremendous difference to a person’s mental health and well being, especially for those who would otherwise spend the holidays alone.

“Pubs aren’t just for Christmas, and many of these pubs offer vital social events and services for their community year-round. That’s why we are running a campaign to highlight the important role that pubs play in combating social isolation and loneliness and celebrate the work they do at Christmas and beyond.

Pubs dishing up a free Christmas dinner include:

The Bull & Gate, London - will be offering 25 local residents in Kentish Town struggling with loneliness this Christmas a chance to get together for a free Christmas dinner. https://whatpub.com/pubs/NLD/6106/bull-gate-london

The Pride of the Peaks, New Mill, Peak District - will be making and delivering 50 hampers and a two-course Christmas meal for the elderly community.

Dorset Arms, Sussex - is hosting a ‘no one alone at Christmas’ campaign. Local people are invited to join them free of charge on Christmas Day and they will be asking pub patrons to fill a sock of essentials to drive their Christmas sock appeal for the homeless.

Blue Bell Inn, Carlton - is hosting a Christmas lunch for local elderly residents who may be on their own over the festive period - this will include a small gift, a choir, a quiz and Irish bingo.

The Red Lion, Brede - has invited anyone who is on their own at Christmas to join them for dinner. They will also host a locals Christmas dinner on Sunday 15th at a reduced cost. The owner says that “last year we had an elderly couple who had become too ill to join us, so my sous chef and myself drove to there house with a Christmas dinner each, knocked on the door and sang Christmas carols to them, much to their delight.”

Salwey Arms, Shropshire - is offering a complimentary two-course Christmas Lunch for local Seniors that may not get the chance to socialise on December 18th.

Hotham Arms, Yorkshire - is hosting an event on 17th December aimed at the elderly in the local community who may not have anyone to spend time with this festive period. They have arranged a meal of tomato soup, turkey and beef roast dinner with all the trimmings, followed by mince pies. Sherry is offered throughout and hot drinks will be provided after the meal. They also have 30 minutes of live music being performed by the Vintage Vocalist after the meal and are collecting gifts from the local community so all our guests can go home with a Christmas present.

Harbour Bar Gourdon, Scotland - will be hosting a "Festive Feast with Friends" on Christmas Day which includes a free meal for anyone who might be alone on that day starting at 12. They then open the pub for regular customers at 3 pm to give the guests a chance to see more faces then they would otherwise.

Kingslodge Inn, Durham - this pub offers Christmas lunch and entertainment for older people living alone. The pub also runs a regular lunch club throughout the year.

Taffs Well Inn, Wales - provides a Christmas meal for those who would otherwise be spending the day alone.