These Are The UK’s Top 16 Pubs, According To CAMRA
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2 hours ago
The 2026 finalists have been announced
We all have our favourite local. But which pubs have been deemed the finest in the country? CAMRA (The Campaign for Real Ale) has revealed the 16 regional and national winners for its Pub of the Year 2025 awards.
CAMRA’s Pub Of The Year: 16 Finalists Revealed
Across the country, 16 pubs across the country will be celebrating after being crowned the best in their region. Each year, thousands enter CAMRA’s annual awards in the hopes of making it through to the shortlist. These finalists are then whittled down to just four (announced in October), ahead of the ultimate winner being named in January 2026.
In London, community-run pub The Hope in Carshalton scooped up the top award. Over 10 years ago, the venue was at risk of closure, but locals stepped in to save it, joining forces to create 48 West Limited, which now runs the lease. Since then, The Hope has garnered widespread acclaim, winning over 10 awards from CAMRA over the years.
The pub prides itself on good conversation, with no TVs or radios, with a focus on craft beer. A menu of home-cooked food is on offer, and there’s a garden area perfect for al fresco drinks in the summer.
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Elsewhere, the shortlist includes The Hole in the Wall in Bodmin, Cornwall, which was named the South West winner. The historic pub dates back to the 18th century, and was originally the town’s Debtors Prison. For the past 22 years, it has been helmed by landlord Steve Hall, and is known for its quirky memorabilia and changing menu of beers, with the option to bring your own food.
In Scotland, the winning pub was Volunteer Arms (Staggs) in Musselburgh, which has been run by the same family since 1858. The cosy spot focuses on real ales – mostly pale – with a large TV showing sports.
A micropub in Skipton called Beer Engine was the Yorkshire winner, located on a tiny street between the town centre and the canal. CAMRA notes its ‘friendly and welcoming’ ambience, with six hand pumps dispensing ever-changing beers.
When deciding the winners, CAMRA’s judges look at factors like atmosphere, decor, service and inclusivity, as well as an impressive offering of real cask beer, real cider and perry.
Andrea Briers, CAMRA’s Pub of the Year Co-ordinator said: ‘It is a real pleasure to announce this year’s top 16 pubs, each of which has demonstrated exceptional quality, warmth and dedication to their communities. These pubs are shining examples of what makes the Great British pub so special, from perfectly kept pints to a genuine welcome for all.’
She continues: ‘Achieving this in the face of rising costs and other pressures is no small feat, and we want to see these pubs, and thousands of others like them, continue to thrive. That’s why we’re calling on the Chancellor to give pubs a fair deal in the Autumn Budget, so they can keep serving their communities for many years to come.’
CAMRA was founded in 1971 by a group of four beer enthusiasts, who were concerned about the decline of traditional real ale pubs. Nowadays, the non-profit continues its mission of promoting pubs as a pivotal part of the UK’s heritage.
Full List
- East Anglia: Blackfriars Tavern, Great Yarmouth
- East Central: Orange Tree, Baldock
- East Midlands: Burnt Pig, Ilkeston
- Greater London: Hope, Carshalton
- Merseyside and Chesire: Cricketers, St Helens
- North East: Station House, Durham
- North West: Cumberland Inn, Alston
- Northern Ireland: Dog and Duck Inn, Lisbellaw
- Scotland: Volunteer Arms (Staggs), Musselburgh
- South Central: Bell Inn, Aldworth
- South East: Royston, Broadstairs
- South West: Hole in the Wall, Bodmin
- Wales: Rhos yr Hafod Inn, Llanon
- West Central: Pelican Inn, Gloucester
- West Midlands: Tamworth Tap, Tamworth
- Yorkshire: Beer Engine, Skipton
Find out more at camra.org.uk
