The best pubs in the UK revealed: Winner is housed in former tourist information centre in the Midlands – so, does YOUR local make the list?

Britain’s greatest boozer has been officially unveiled after beating fierce competition from across the country.

The Tamworth Tap in Tamworth, Staffordshire, took home the overall top spot at the Great British Pub Awards in its 27th year.

Located in the heart of the Midlands market town, the public house was founded in 2017 by husband and wife George and Louise Greenaway and promises ‘exceptional beers and ales’.

Named CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year in 2022, 2023 and 2025, the pub is widely renowned for its on-site brewery products, 40 craft ciders and craft beers from across the globe.

The popular boozer beat 96 other contestants to the top spot, with an esteemed panel of judges said to be particularly impressed with the extensive offerings, alongside its luxury wine list. 

Set in a 16th-century Tudor building along the main high street, the Tamworth Tap was previously a tourist information centre that was lovingly restored and converted into a bustling pub adored by locals. 

Head judge Ed Bedington, editor at the Morning Advertiser and host of Lock In Podcast, 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.’

Held in Leeds on September 23, this year’s competition saw more than 90 entrants compete for victory across categories that ranged from Best Country Pub and Best Pub Garden, alongside the nation’s ultimate venues for sport and food. 

The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest in Slaggyford, Northumberland, was the only public house from the North of England to make the prestigious list. 

Northamptonshire’s The Red Lion took home the title of Best Country Pub, while Warrington’s The Maltings was ranked the best pub for dogs. 

North of the Border, Perth’s Old Ship Inn took home the title of Greene King Pub of the Year, while the south-east of England vastly dominated the remainder of the winners list. 

Not a single boozer in London, however, appeared in the list of winners at this year’s competition.  

In Norfolk, the Black Swan Public House and Theatre was ranked the best spot for entertainment, while the Plough in Cheltenham was unveiled as the nation’s most family-friendly public house.

In the south of England, Aylesbury’s The Honey Bee was ranked Marston’s Pub of the Year and Wiltshire’s Rattlebone Inn in Sherston was crowned Punch Pubs & Co Pub of the Year.

It comes as new industry figures recently revealed that two British pubs closed every day in the first quarter of this year as businesses have struggled to cope with the ‘sheer weight’ of tax rises.

The closures have equated to the loss of around 2,400 jobs, particularly hitting younger workers. 

Figures from the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) showed that 161 pubs closed across Britain between January and March. 

It represents a rise of 26 per cent compared to the same period last year, when 128 pubs closed.

In total, 336 British pubs closed in 2025 and more than 2,000 have closed in the past five years.

The BBPA have warned that the cost of VAT, employers’ national insurance rises and beer duty have placed a huge burden on business owners.

London and the south east of England suffered from the most closures, while Wales was the only part of the UK to see a net gain in its number of pubs – rising by three.

Earlier this year, the government announced a U-turn on business rate hikes for pubs, offering 15 per cent tax relief for pubs and music venues.

It was a move that was welcomed by landlords, but they warned that more needed to be done to save the struggling industry from disaster.

Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: ‘The scale of these closures is avoidable because pubs are doing a brisk trade, but their profits are wiped out by a disproportionate tax burden and huge costs.

‘For too many, the sheer weight of taxes and regulatory costs have forced them to shut up shop, which will only hurt communities, workers, and the wider economy.

‘This underscores why Government’s business rates relief was so necessary, and the support such a welcome relief.

‘We want to work with Government to establish a permanent long-term plan that will deliver permanently lower bills, a fairer system and ultimately protect this treasured sector. This means more people in jobs, precious community spaces protected, vibrant high streets, and more investment and growth.’

The BBPA said that the sector pours more than £34 billion into the economy and supports more than a million jobs – half of which are made up of 16-24-year-olds.

It follows reports that the cost of a pint of beer has breached the £10 mark in London for the first time.

Drinkers must pay £11 for a pint of Moretti or Heineken at Stanley’s rooftop bar in Mayfair; while a 33cl bottle of Noam lager or Curios IPA costs £10.50 at Connaught bar.