CAMRA has named the top four pubs battling it out for Pub of the Year 2026
2026 Pub of the Year final four. L-R: Cockpit (Chislehurst), Turks Head (St Helens), Tamworth Tap, Countryman's Inn (Hunton, North Yorks). Images should be credited to the individual pubs.
Pubs from Merseyside, North Yorkshire, Tamworth and London have been named the cream of the crop in the race to be CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year 2026.
The Turks Head, St Helens, Countryman’s Inn, Hunton, Cockpit, Chislehurst and the Tamworth Tap, Tamworth will now battle it out for the overall crown.
The final four show the very best of UK pubs, with both fresh and familiar faces in the final round this year.
The Turks Head has been a previous regional winner, while the Tamworth Tap will be fighting for a record-breaking fourth National Pub of the Year title.
The Countryman’s Inn and Cockpit are first time regional and super-regional winners, with the latter only opening during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Countryman’s Inn is aiming to take home the top prize ten years after a pub less than ten miles away, the George and Dragon, Hudswell, did the same.
The super-regional and final rounds of the competition are sponsored by CAMRA Beer Quality Partner, Avani Solutions, and Technology Partner, ICRTouch.
Andrea Briers, CAMRA Pub of the Year Coordinator, said:
“I’m so proud of our final four pubs for 2026. Despite the well-documented challenges facing our pubs and brewers, these licensees have not just survived, but thrived. All four are amazing places that are definitely worth a visit, whether you want a top-quality pint, or just a brilliant community-orientated vibe.”
Clare Harrison, licensee of the Turks Head, said:
“To say we’re over the moon is an understatement! We’re incredibly proud to have reached the final four pubs, and to be representing St Helens at this level is honestly a dream come true.
“But this isn’t just an achievement for me – it’s an achievement for our amazing team, our wonderful regulars and our incredible local community. Without them, the Turks Head simply wouldn’t be what it is today. We’re proud to be a proper traditional local pub where everyone is welcome, whether you’re a lifelong regular or walking through our doors for the very first time.”
Dan Male, licensee of the Countryman’s Inn, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to have made it to the last four in this year's Pub of the Year. In our fourth year of community ownership the pub continues to grow, and we are so proud to be recognised by CAMRA in the work we are doing. Congratulations to all in the last four!”
Adam Miller, licensee of the Cockpit, said:
"What boggling news this is to receive! It has caused a frenzy of frenetic jubilation amongst us staff and stalwarts at The Cockpit!
"This is a pub stripped back to basics, where the pristinity of our ales, ciders, food and wine speak to the uncompromising standards of the producers that grace our floorboards, along with our punters' intangible whimsies seasoning the atmosphere so dotingly, it is a truly treasured environment to serve such a convivial community.
"Thank you to all the stagehands that keep the wheels in motion, both on the jump and behind the curtain, and thank you, CAMRA, for recognising our little boozer with this accreditation; what splendid company to be in."
George Greenaway, licensee of the Tamworth Tap, said:
“We’re absolutely thrilled to have made the final four again. It honestly feels just as exciting as it did the first time we became finalists. We were keeping everything crossed, but when you look at the quality of the final 16, we knew the competition was incredibly strong. To have made it through to the final four is something we’re really proud of, and it means a huge amount to the whole team.”
Ends
Images of the pubs, partner logos and CAMRA spokespeople are here
More details about each of the final four pubs:
Turks Head, St Helens
An attractive Tudor-style pub dating back to the 1870s near the town centre, the Turks Head has previously been included in our top 16 pubs in 2024. The friendly and welcoming pub offers a rotating line-up of 14 handpulls, a selection of real ciders and contains a large whisky and gin bar. An extensive variety of craft and continental beers can also be found in the upstairs Tower Lounge room, which hosts live music and events for local community groups.
Countryman’s Inn, Hunton
The Countryman's Inn is a welcoming community-owned free house, which serves Yorkshire beers, with at least one from Pennine Brewery. Enjoy a roaring stove in the winter, the great beer garden in the summer, bi-weekly coffee mornings and charity quizzes.
Tamworth Tap, Tamworth
The first pub to win CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year competition three times, the Tudor building and historic courtyard beer terrace offers striking views of Tamworth’s Norman Castle. Home to Tamworth Brewing Company and its tap, it features eight handpulls, with cask beer from near and far, alongside a wide range of ciders, gins, wines and bottled beers.
Cockpit, Chislehurst
Opened in December 2020, at the height of the pandemic, this easy going and chatty pub is Chislehurst's first micropub and offers a choice of cask beers from small breweries from all over the country, served from a cold room behind the small bar. The premises are shared with a florist but it's still a spacious pub with plenty of seating inside, plus further high tables and bench seating by the small bar at the rear.
About CAMRA’s Pub of the Year partners
Avani Solutions – CAMRA Beer Quality Partner
Avani Solutions is on hand to help licensees ensure their beer quality is the absolute best it can be and give beer fans everywhere a wonderful pint.
An insights-led beer dispense provider, Avani Solutions is a wholly independent and trusted supplier to pubs across the UK. Through protecting beer quality, raising hygiene standards and providing data that allows fact-based decision-making, Avani helps pubs deliver profitable pints whilst at the same time creating better experiences for consumers.
ICRTouch – CAMRA Technology Partner
ICRTouch are an industry leader in EPoS software development. With over 150,000 installs of their flagship product in the UK alone, they have been supporting hospitality for 30+ years by creating intuitive software solutions that help businesses operate more efficiently.
Pubs and bars are the cornerstone of UK hospitality and they are proud to be able to streamline operations across almost 50% of the UK’s independent pub scene.
About CAMRA:
CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, is a not-for-profit consumer group with over 147,000 members that has been operating since 1971. Our vision is to have quality real ale and thriving pubs in every community.
