GBPA memory lane: A look back at the past five years

Organised by the MA, the awards, now in their 27th year, took place at the First Direct Bank Arena in Leeds on Wednesday 23 September 2026 for a celebration of epic proportions.

Hosted by comedian Suzi Ruffell, the evening saw the best in the business celebrated across 16 categories, with 96 finalists in total.

The Tamworth Tap in Staffordshire took home the title of Great British Pub of the Year, after being crowned Best Pub for Beer.

Commenting on the win, MA editor Ed Bedington said: “The Tamworth Tap showcases excellent beer quality, with the Tamworth Stout proving particularly impressive during our visit.

He added: “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.”

Other 2026 winners included the Dr Foster in Gloucester, which took home the gong for Best Town Pub, as well was the Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest in Northumberland, which was crowned Best Pub for Food.

The Lion Malpas, Cheshire, was named Best Inn, while the Plough Prestbury in Cheltenham scooped the award for Best Pub for Families.

Inspirational people

Elsewhere, another Cheshire site, GOAT, saw success in the Best Pub for Sport category, and the Red Lion in Cranford was crowned as Best Country pub. This year’s Best Community Pub winner was the Swan in Clewer.

Going back to last year’s ceremony, which was hosted at the First Direct Arena by comedian Seann Walsh, the Crown Wharf in Stone, Staffordshire, was unveiled as the Great British Pub of the Year, also taking home the title of Best Town Pub.

Neighbouring county Derbyshire also tasted success in 2025, with both the Admiral Taverns Pub of the Year, the Gasoline in Chesterfield, and the George in Castleton, which won the Best Sustainable Pub award, taking home trophies.

Meanwhile, Blind Jack’s in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, was named the Best Beer Pub. At the other end of the country, Chaplin’s & The Cellar Bar in Boscombe, Dorset, was the champion in the Best Community Pub category.

In 2024, the glittering ceremony was held at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse and hosted by actor Ralf Little.

The Tollemache Arms in Northamptonshire was presented with the overall Great British Pub of the Year title having been initially named Best Country Pub earlier in the night.

After receiving the award, co-owner Flo Pearce told The MA: “The secret of our success is surrounding ourselves with incredible people, our team [who are] inspirational.”

Other category winners that year included Heston Blumenthal-owned pub the Hinds Head in Bray, Berkshire, which took the title of Best Pub for Food while fellow Berkshire pub the Swan in Windsor was named Best Community Pub.

The Best Sustainable Pub award was presented to the Pig’s Head in Clapham, south-west London, while the Tamworth Tap took the award for Best Pub for Beer and Leeds pub the Myrtle Tavern was crowned Best Pub Garden.

In 2023, TV and radio presenter Edith Bowman led the awards ceremony at Victoria Warehouse.

Cheshire Cat Pubs & Inns pub the Cholmondeley Arms, Cheshire, took home the overall title of Great British Pub of the Year three years ago for its standout reputation for food & drink and its traditional features.

Owner Tim Bird said: “I said when we opened, we can be a beacon of hope for rural pubs and for the team, this is just amazing.

“The award has helped us shine a great light on the strength of the rural pub in the UK and we are very honoured to have been able to do this for others to follow.”

Other winners in 2023 included the Loch & the Tyne in Berkshire, which took the award for Best Pub for Food after judges noted its focus on sustainable British luxury.

Meanwhile, the Gaggle of Geese in Dorchester saw success in the Best Pub Garden category thanks to its myriad of activities and sprawling outdoor area while the Plough Normanton-on-the-Wolds was named Best Pub for Families.

Four years ago, comedian Russell Kane chaired the event, held at Manchester’s Escape to Freight Island.

Showcasing talent

Marston’s Pub of the Year, the Gun in Findon, West Sussex, took home the Great British Pub of the Year title, while the Shibden Mill in Halifax, West Yorkshire, was crowned Best Pub for Food.

The Best Country Pub award went to the Three Hills at Bartlow in 2022 and the Tamworth Tap took home the gong for Best Pub Garden that year.

Meanwhile, the Saddle Inn, Cheshire, saw success in the Best Pub for Entertainment category and Stonegate’s Pub of the Year was the Old Windmill in Coventry, West Midlands.

In 2021, the Covid pandemic meant GBPA had to take place virtually, hosted from Greenwood in London by DJ Scott Mills on Tuesday 28 September, with a winners lunch held in the capital once restrictions were eased.

The Brisley Bell in Dereham, Norfolk, won the Great British Pub of the Year award that year, after scooping Best Pub Garden.

Best Pub for Families went to the Onslow Arms in West Sussex, while Top 50 Gastropub the Unruly Pig in Bromeswell, Suffolk, was crowned Best Pub for Food.

London’s Phoenix Arts Club took home the trophy for Best Late Night offer, while Punch Pub of the Year title went to the Wise Man Inn, Dorset.

The awards have also showcased some a number of talented chefs in the past through live cookoffs and the Best Young Pub and Best Pub Chef categories.

Past winners of the Best Young Pub accolade include Samuel McClurkin, who was chef at the Dog at Wingham pub in Kent at the time of his win in 2021 and Tiffany Long in 2022, who was with the White Hart Free House at the time of her achievement.

Karl Quirante of the Cricketers in Ormskirk, Lancashire, was crowned as the winner in 2023. In 2019, Tom Parker, at the time chef at the White Swan in Lancashire, saw success in the Chef of the Year of the category.

As the industry looks ahead to GBPA 2027, the past five years highlight the people and businesses driving the sector forward, with many more success stories still to come.