Photo by Helge Nareid
The Blackfriars Tavern named one of CAMRA’s ‘fab four’ finalists as the National Pub of the Year competition hots up!
The race to take home CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year 2025 crown is now on, with the Blackfriars Tavern in Great Yarmouth reaching the final.
The Victorian corner pub is going for the double, as just two weeks ago it was crowned Cider and Perry Pub of the Year 2025 by the organisation.
After months of rigorous judging, just four pubs remain in the competition. They will now battle it out to win the Pub of the Year title, the Campaign’s biggest award and one of the highest accolades a UK pub can win.
Next to the 13th century town walls, the Blackfriars Tavern has made its mark as a must-visit destination. Described as a real gem, the pub focusses on East Anglian produced cask, plus real ciders and perries, with its bar regularly showcasing CAMRA award winning brews and even beers from the on-site brewery.
All the super regional finalists have proved to be exceptional. The final round of judging is now underway with the winner revealed at the start of 2026.
Beating thousands of entries and showcasing their commitment to quality and their communities, all pubs in the final four have been judged on their atmosphere, décor, welcome, service, inclusivity, overall impression and, most importantly, quality cask beer, real cider and perry.
With the announcement of the finalists only a few weeks ahead of the UK Government’s Budget, it is a stark reminder of the challenges pubs are facing. CAMRA is calling for pubs to be given specific support as they continue to face their toughest year yet. High costs, heavy tax burdens and punishing business rates are all impacting on pubs and their survival.
Blackfriars Tavern landlord and freeholder Pharez Smith said:
"Built on quality, consistency and a calm, welcoming atmosphere, we’re thrilled - especially as a final four pub - to be part of CAMRA’s work championing cask ale and real cider.”
Chris Rouse, CAMRA’s Deputy East Anglia Regional Director, commented:
"Well done to Pharez and Rachael on their success. The Blackfriars Tavern is an excellent example of a pub that serves its community and welcomes visitors, offering them a very good selection of cask beers, ciders and perries."
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Notes to editors
Download photos of the four finalists and CAMRA spokespeople here.
Joining the Blackfriars Tavern in the final four pubs are:
Pelican Inn, Gloucester: Dating back to 1679, this Grade-II listed, family run traditional ale house is popular with cyclists, cathedral visitors and local Gloucester rugby fans. With up to ten cask beers, twelve ciders and six craft kegs on at all times, plus a collection of rarer beer styles in can, there is something for everyone to enjoy, including rarer beer styles in cans such as the much-loved imperial porter. The multi-award-winning pub has featured in the Good Beer Guide for more than a decade.
Tamworth Tap, Tamworth: Twice winner of the National Pub of the Year in 2022 and 2023, the Tudor building and historic courtyard beer terrace offers striking views of Tamworth Castle. Home to Tamworth Brewing Company and its tap, it features eight handpulls, with cask from near and far, along with a wide range of ciders, gins, wines and bottled beers. The ‘CAMRA corner’ at the bottom of the stairs is always popular, along with its display of a complete set of Good Beer Guides.
Volunteer Arms (Staggs), Musselburgh: A superb pub run by the same family since 1858 with a traditional bar and snug, wooden floors, wood panelling and mirrors from now closed local breweries. The pub’s interior is of historic interest with an attractive Victorian era gantry topped with old spirit cask barrels. It has a range of regularly changing cask beers and has won many awards, including CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year in 1998 and reached the top four in 2018.
All the national and regional Pub of the Year winners can be found here.
The pubs in the competition are selected by CAMRA volunteers and judged on their atmosphere, décor, welcome, service, value, customer mix and most importantly quality of beer.
The overall winner will be announced in January 2026.
The four finalists will be presented with their awards at local events over the coming weeks.
