Cosy Midlands pub Tamworth Tap 'stuck for words' as it's crowned UK's best for record-breaking third time
The UK’s best pub has been unveiled leaving the establishment “stuck for words” as it wins award for record-breaking third time.
The Staffordshire pub Tamworth Tap said claiming the Campaign for Real Ale's (Camra) National Pub of the Year accolade again was "beyond our wildest dreams". George and Louise Greenaway sell a range of cask beers from local brewers and across the UK, along with a wide selection of ciders, gins, wines, and bottled beers, Camra said in delivering its verdict.
The Tudor hostelry is also celebrated for its 16th Century shop front and historic courtyard, which offers views of Tamworth's Norman castle, with staff praised for hosting a "huge range of daily events". Camra said since the start of its Pub of the Year competition in 1988, no pub had won the hat trick with its most prestigious award.
The Tap, which took the prize for both 2022 and 2023, is also home to the Tamworth Brewing Co, and beat off thousands of entries. The pub was "judged on its atmosphere, décor, welcome, service, inclusivity, overall impression and, most importantly, quality cask beer, real cider and perry", Camra said.
The Greenaways said on Facebook: “When we won this award for the first time, we believed we’d reached the pinnacle of our achievement. But we didn’t stop there. We continued to evolve.
“When we won it for a second consecutive year, we were astounded. To have won this for an unprecedented third time is beyond our wildest dreams. The pub and its people are our life and give everything we have to it.
“We don’t just pour pints at The Tap, we provide a drinking experience. Quality beer obviously comes first, but the passion, knowledge and friendliest of our incredible team ‘Team Tap’ is key.”
They added: “Thank you for believing in us, for supporting us, for turning up to everything we ever do and for making The Tamworth Tap a place where everybody wants to be.”
The other Pub of the Year 2025 finalists were:
- Blackfriars Tavern, Great Yarmouth - a Victorian pub that is Camra's National Cider and Perry Pub of the Year 2025
- Pelican Inn, Gloucester - a Grade-II listed, family-run venue dating back to 1679
- Volunteer Arms (Staggs), Musselburgh - a pub run by the same family since 1858 that was Camra's overall Pub of the Year in 1998