The Bull In Charlbury Named UK’s Best Pub

The Bull in Charlbury has been named the UK’s best pub for 2025, after the Oxfordshire venue triumphed at this year’s National Pub & Bar Awards.

Owned and operated by the Public House Group, which also runs London venues The Hero and The Pelican, The Bull has cemented its reputation as a leading countryside pub since it reopened in July 2023 under the leadership of founders Phil Winser, James Gummer and Olivier van Themsche.

Blending quintessential qualities with the finesse and flawless service of a contemporary operation, the National Pub & Bar of the Year has been praised for its stripped-back design, brilliant front-of-house team and exceptional food coming out of the kitchen.

In what can only be described as a mammoth achievement, The Bull was chosen as number one ahead of 255 other pubs and bars from across the UK, all of which had been shortlisted to represent their respective counties at the annual event.

Following a change-up to previous years, 94 County Winners were announced live at the awards, as well as Highly Commended venues for each area. Regional Winners, which can be seen below, were then announced for every region across the UK.

Other awards on the night were the Pub Group of the Year, which went to Camerons, and Bar Group of the Year, which was won by London’s Inception Group for its bar brand Mr Fogg’s. The Tyrrells Tyrrellbly Good Taste Award – presented by the event’s headline sponsor – was awarded to The Tollemache Arms in Northamptonshire.

The 2025 event also introduced a brand-new accolade, which was voted for by hundreds of people from across the sector. The Industry’s Choice Award, unveiled in a Top 10 format, went to The Devonshire in Soho, following an incredible couple of years for operators Oisín Rogers, Charlie Carroll and Ashley Palmer-Watts.

All of the 2025 National Pub & Bar Awards winners, including County and Regional, can be found at nationalpubandbarawards.co.uk

The National Pub & Bar Awards 2025 is sponsored by Tyrrells, AEL Leisure, Apple Photo Booth, Booker, Cawston Press, Hackney Gelato, ICRTouch, Korker Sausages, Lee Kum Kee, Macphie, Pizzasi, Randall Parker, Salvo 1968, Sky Business, Strongbow, We Love Cake, Wenlock Spring Water and Zapgo. The Tap Bar sponsors were Bubble Bros, Hooch, Krombacher, Nirvana Brewery and Super 8.

The 2025 National Pub & Bar Awards winners

East Midlands Pub & Bar of the Year: The Tollemache Arms

East of England Pub & Bar of the Year: The Gunton Arms

London Pub & Bar of the Year: The Red Lion & Sun

North East Pub & Bar of the Year: The Black Swan Inn, Seahouses

North West Pub & Bar of the Year: The Bull’s Head, Mobberley

Northern Ireland Pub & Bar of the Year: Dundrum Inn

North Scotland Pub & Bar of the Year: The Barrelman

South Scotland Pub & Bar of the Year: Kenmuir Arms

South East Pub & Bar of the Year: The Bull, Charlbury

South West Pub & Bar of the Year: The Beckford Arms

Wales Pub & Bar of the Year: Britannia Inn

West Midlands Pub & Bar of the Year: The Wildmoor Oak

Yorkshire and the Humber Pub & Bar of the Year: Pinnacle Sports & Games

Industry’s Choice Award: The Devonshire

Pub Group of the Year: Camerons

Bar Group of the Year: Mr Fogg’s

The Tyrrells Tyrrellbly Good Taste Award: The Tollemache Arms

National Pub & Bar of the Year: The Bull, Charlbury