The following press release is from CAMRA: Click here

CAMRA’s overall Cider and Perry Pub of the Year 2025 has been won by the Blackfriars Tavern in Great Yarmouth.

The competition recognises the best pub or social club that champions real cider and perry across the UK. Judges are looking for great atmosphere, décor, welcome, service, inclusivity, overall impression and, most importantly, quality cider and perry.

The Blackfriars Tavern is a Victorian corner pub, which has quickly become a must visit destination for cider and perry lovers. With more than 20 locally sourced real ciders available, and some from further afield, it is easy to see why!

Next to the historic 13th century town walls, the pub offers a warm welcome to families, dogs and cyclists, serving renowned home-cooked pies and hearty meals.

Not only has it won this top accolade, but it is also in the running to win CAMRA’s overall Pub of the Year title, after being announced as one of the UK’s top 16 pubs in August.

Along with East Anglian ciders and perries, the pub stocks eight ever-changing cask beers with two permanently on the bar from the on-site Blackfriars Tavern brewery, plus a wide choice of bottled Belgian beers.

Blackfriars Tavern landlord and freeholder Pharez Smith said:

“Oh my word, oh my word! We are overjoyed to be named CAMRA’s Cider and Perry Pub of the Year 2025. This award is a tribute to our wonderful customers who create the welcoming atmosphere that makes our pub special. We also thank the incredible producers, whose skill and dedication fill our cellars with variety and quality. 

“Five and a half years ago we began major renovations on this disused pub, and what a journey it has been. We’ve loved connecting with our customers through a shared passion for real cider and perry. Finally, we are hugely grateful to CAMRA for their tireless work in championing these traditional drinks, and we are proud to be part of that story.”

Cider and Perry Pub of the Year coordinator Sarah Newson said:

“Congratulations to the team at the Blackfriars Tavern – it is a real gem of a pub and well worth seeking out. With the pub winning CAMRA’s ultimate cider and perry accolade, and also in contention for winning overall Pub of the Year, this is an exciting time for pubgoers in Great Yarmouth and East Anglia.

“Along with the Blackfriars Tavern, our three finalists and all the regional and national winners in this competition show just how wonderfully varied the UK cider and perry scene is today. If your knowledge of cider or perry is limited to the large commercial brands sold cheaply in supermarkets, I urge you to seek out these pubs to see just how amazing and varied these traditional drinks really are.”

The other finalists in the Cider and Perry Pub of the Year 2025 are: Carpenters Arms in Westrip, Gloucestershire; That Beer Place (last year’s winner) in Chester, Cheshire; and Bull and Dragon in Meeth, Devon.

We are very pleased to report that following extensive scoring by members from across East Anglia, The Blackfriars Tavern, Great Yarmouth has been judged to be the East Anglia CAMRA Cider Pub Of The Year 2025. Congratulations to them on this achievement following them making it as far as the overall Norfolk Cider Pub Of The Year last year.

We are pleased to let you know that The Blackfriars Tavern has been judged to be the Norfolk CAMRA Cider Pub Of The Year 2025, retaining this accolade for a second year in succession. Congratulations!

East Norfolk CAMRA is delighted to announce that following judging by CAMRA members from across the East Anglia region (Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex and parts of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, Blackfriars Tavern Great Yarmouth has been judged to be Pub of the Year 2024 for the region. Congratulations to Pharez and team on this fantastic achievement.

We are pleased to announce that our Cider Pub of the Year, Blackfriars Tavern Great Yarmouth has been judged the Norfolk Cider Pub of the Year by a panel of judges from around the county.