WORCESTER has quite a selection of historic pubs and inns, but perhaps none has a closer connection to English history than the King Charles House in New Street.

For it is here, or so the story goes, that the future King Charles II hid himself after the Royalists were defeated at the Battle of Worcester, the last battle of the English Civil War.

Since that fateful day, the pub has been a judge’s residence, a furniture makers, an antiques shop and a restaurant.

With such a back story, is it any wonder that it is a contender for the Worcester News Pub of the Year contest?

The contest sees readers voting for their favourite establishment in the city, with the winning landlord receiving a trophy and being invited to Parliament by Worcester MP Robin Walker.

The King Charles House is full of historic atmosphere, with its dark oak panelling, tapestries, creaking floorboards and crooked overhead beams.

But it draws not just history buffs, but a widely varied clientele who are attracted by its well-kept real ales.

Indeed, the pub describes itself on its website as a “real ale haven in the centre of Worcester”.

It is also well known for its food menu, which features the pub’s award-winning pie and mash, now as much a part of its reputation as the beer or the building’s history.

The beers are served from an impressive row of eight pumps on the bar, offering Craddock’s, Bridgnorth and Two Thirsty brewers ales on a changing rotation as well as a number of guest ales.

The current food menu contains 12 pies, including vegetarian options, which the diner can combine with six types of mash, and a choice of garden or mushy peas.

General manager Lee Hart said: “It’s a matter of interacting with your customers, really getting to know them, and listening to them.

“I think the King Charles is probably in the top five of Worcester pubs, because of the trouble we take.

“Some people call us the pie pub, and we get people coming from all over to eat here.”

Voting for the Pub of the Year award closes on Friday, so use the slip on this page to support your favourite pub and tell us why it deserves to win.

Anyone can vote, whether a member of staff or a loyal customer, but we only accept slips cut out from the newspaper as votes - to avoid any ‘tactics’.

The winner will be announced in the paper and on our website on Tuesday, December 4.

Worcester News editor Michael Purton said: “We came up with the Pub of the Year award because there are some brilliant pubs in the area and we want to highlight their hard work and high standards.”