Pub Design Awards 2025: Celebrating Innovation and Craftsmanship in UK Pub Architecture

Strategic Insights -

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has announced the winners of the Pub Design Awards 2025, a collaboration between CAMRA and Historic England that highlights the importance and vulnerability of pub architecture. This year's winners include a range of projects that showcase the highest standards of pub design, from sensitive restorations of heritage pubs to ambitious new builds and innovative conversions of historic buildings. Amidst the celebration, however, one winner has closed its doors, serving as a poignant reminder of the financial pressures facing the UK's pubs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Pub Design Awards recognize the highest standards of pub architecture, rewarding artistic flair and historical conservation.
  • The awards highlight the importance of preserving UK's pub architecture, which is vulnerable to financial pressures and potential loss.
  • Winners include bod Lichfield, a new build that showcases industrial chic design and reclaimed materials, as well as the Swan, a Grade-II listed timber-framed pub that has been carefully renovated and conserved.
  • Joint winners of the Conversion to Pub Use category include Borough Beer House, a conversion of a former bailiff's hall, and the Python's Arms, a 13th-century farm building that has also since closed.
  • Druid Inn, a refurbished pub in Wales, was awarded for its extensive and thoughtful renovation, which included cozy nooks and crannies, a welcoming bar, and quirky artwork.
  • Peasants' Tavern, a refurbished market tavern in Norfolk, was commended for its careful make-over, featuring quality woodwork and furnishings in shades of green.
  • Forester, a Grade-II listed pub in West Ealing, London, was awarded for its respectful refurbishment, which conserved historic features and added a first-floor function room to enhance community facilities.

Statistics:

  • 10 pubs were recognized in the Pub Design Awards 2025.
  • 2 new builds were awarded, bod Lichfield in Staffordshire and Titanic brewery in Stoke-on-Trent.
  • 3 conversions to pub use were recognized, including Borough Beer House in Surrey, the Python's Arms in Herefordshire (now closed), and the Swan in Suffolk.
  • 2 joint winners were announced in the Conversion to Pub Use category.
  • 1 winner was announced in the Refurbishment category, Druid Inn in Wales.
  • 1 winner was announced in the Community Local category, Forester in West Ealing, London.

Sources:

  • The Pub Design Awards 2025 Winners Announcement (CAMRA)
  • bod Lichfield website
  • Titanic brewery website
  • Borough Beer House website
  • Peasants' Tavern website
  • Forester website
  • Historic England website
  • The Guardian: "CAMRA's Pub Design Awards 2025: the winners"