The Tamworth Tap has been named by CAMRA as one of the four best pubs in the UK and will now try and win the overall competition for a record third time in four years.
The competition to be CAMRA’s cream of the crop in the prestigious National Pub of the Year 2025 competition is hotting up. The Tamworth Tap in Staffordshire is going for the triple, having struck gold in both 2022 and 2023, making it only one of five pubs to have ever won the award twice.
After months of rigorous judging, just four pubs remain in the competition. They will now battle it out to claim the National Pub of the Year title, the Campaign’s biggest award and one of the highest accolades a UK pub can win.
The Tamworth Tap’s Tudor building and historic courtyard beer terrace offer striking views of Tamworth’s Norman Castle. Home to Tamworth Brewing Company and its tap, the pub 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.
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, the pubs are 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.
Tamworth Tap owners George and Louise Greenaway, said:
“We’re over the moon to be finalists for CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year! We can’t express the excitement we felt when we found out the news of reaching this stage. This recognition celebrates everything we strive for – great beer, a welcoming atmosphere and true community spirit.
“Huge thanks go to our remarkable team whose dedication, passion and hard work makes us proud every day. Thank you to CAMRA and its volunteers for supporting us and seeing something different in us and to absolutely everyone who makes The Tamworth Tap such a special place to be. And last but not least, a heartfelt shout-out to our beloved Tappers - our fantastic loyal customers. This is for you. Cheers!”
Adrian Zawierka CAMRA’s West Midlands Regional Director said:
“I am delighted to see the Tamworth Tap once again reach the final four and be in the running to be the first pub to win the coveted title for the third time.
“The Tamworth Tap has achieved an incredible amount since it opened, making it once again a worthy finalist. With their events, community initiatives and impressive range of beers and ciders in a beautiful location, this firm favourite really does offer something for everyone who visits.”
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Notes to editors
Download photos of the four finalists and CAMRA spokespeople here.
Joining the Tamworth Tap in the final four pubs are:
Blackfriars Tavern, Great Yarmouth: Awarded CAMRA’s UK Cider and Perry Pub of the Year just weeks ago, this Victorian corner pub, next to the 13th century town walls, 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.
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. The multi-award-winning pub has been featured in the Good Beer Guide for more than a decade.
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.
