This Microbrewery Has Been Named Britain’s Best Pub For 2026

Everyone thinks their local is the best in town – but a taphouse in Tamworth has been officially crowned number one at the Great British Pub Awards, livestreamed on 23 September 2026.

The UK’s Best Pub For 2026 Has Been Revealed

A microbrewery located in the heart of Tamworth, Staffordshire, the Tamworth Tap is no stranger to awards: it has also been named CAMRA National Pub of the Year in 2022, 2023 and 2025. And now it has scooped up one more, being named best pub at the 2026 Great British Pub Awards. The pub is renowned for its ale offering, with eight cask handpulls which are constantly changing, 20 keg taps serving both craft and foreign keg, and a number of bag-in-box ciders – plus a premium wine list. There’s also a food menu featuring small plates and bar snacks: think chicken goujons, breaded halloumi, homemade sausage rolls, scotch eggs and topped fries (basically, all the kinds of things you want to eat at the pub).

The Tamworth Tap was founded in 2017 by George Greenaway, who restored a former tourist information centre into a pub and brewery. It’s housed inside a striking 16th century building where many original period features remain, such as the grand Georgian triple frontage. The walls are covered in brewing paraphernalia, while a downstairs cellar has retained its medieval stone walls – perfect for storing drinks year-round. 

Another beloved feature is the beer garden, named The Hop Yard, which shares a Saxon curtain wall with the town’s Norman castle. The pub often hosts live music nights and events too, giving it a real community feel, with an overall inclusive and positive vibe.

Ed Bedington, editor at The Morning Advertiser and host of Lock In Podcast, who was head judge at the awards, said: ‘The Tamworth Tap showcases excellent beer quality, with the Tamworth Stout proving particularly impressive during our visit. Not only that, but the team there has a clear focus on building the pub’s reputation through local causes, industry campaigns and award-winning credentials. 

‘At a time when running a pub is more challenging than ever, it is hugely important that we celebrate the people and businesses continuing to invest, innovate and create places that matter to their customers and communities.’

Other winners this year included The Swan in Windsor’s Clewer Village, named best community pub, and The Red Lion in Cranford, Northamptonshire, which took home the gong for Britain’s best country pub. No London pubs made the list this year (but you can find some of our favourites here).

Organised by The Morning Advertiser, The Great British Pub Awards are judged by a panel of experts and industry professionals across four stages. This is the 27th edition of the awards.

Great British Pub Awards 2026: Full List Of Winners

• Best Beer Pub and Overall Great British Beer Pub of the Year – The Tamworth Tap, Tamworth, Staffordshire
• Best Community Pub – The Swan, Clewer, Windsor
• Best Country Pub – The Red Lion, Cranford, Northamptonshire
• Best Pub for Dogs – The Maltings, Old Hall, Warrington
• Best Pub for Entertainment – Black Swan Public House and Theatre, North Walsham, Norfolk
• Best Pub for Families – The Plough Prestbury, Cheltenham
• Best Pub for Food – The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest, Slaggyford, Northumberland
• Best Inn – Sponsored by St Germain – The Lion Malpas, Cheshire
• Best Pub Garden – Sponsored by Diageo – The Tichborne Arms, Alresford, Hampshire
• Best Pub to Watch Sports – Sponsored by TNT Sports – GOAT, Nantwich, Cheshire 
• Best Town Pub – Dr Foster, The Docks, Gloucester
• Admiral Taverns Pub of the Year – The Crown, Fordham, Cambridgeshire
• Greene King Pub of the Year – The Old Ship Inn, Perth
• Marston’s Pub of the Year – The Honey Bee, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
• Punch Pubs & Co Pub of the Year – The Rattlebone Inn, Sherston, Wiltshire
• Stonegate Group Pub of the Year – The Cow Shed at the Ship Inn, Ospringe, Kent

Find out more at greatbritishpubawards.co.uk