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Cornwall pub wins regional CAMRA award
Hole in the Wall Bodmin is named best pub in the South West; final national winner announced in 2026.

A Cornwall pub that was once a prison wins the regional CAMRA Pub of the Year award, highlighting heritage and local hospitality amid rising costs.
Hole in the Wall Bodmin named best pub in the South West
CAMRA has announced the regional winners for the 2025 Pub of the Year. The Hole in the Wall in Bodmin has been named the best pub in the South West and will compete for CAMRA’s national title. The Bodmin pub, dating from the 18th century and once the town's Debtors' Prison, is entered through a leafy garden by a stream and a bleached stuffed lion. The single bar is flanked by archways, and the venue houses antiques and military memorabilia, with a conservatory and garden area where customers may bring their own food. Beer selections come from the Heineken approved list. The final four regional winners will be announced in October and the national winner in January 2026. Andrea Briers, CAMRA’s Pub of the Year coordinator, said the top pubs show exceptional quality and community dedication, and she called on the government to give pubs a fair deal in the Autumn Budget to help them cope with rising costs.
Local pubs like Hole in the Wall anchor villages and attract visitors, providing cultural continuity even as costs rise. CAMRA's regional focus highlights how heritage and hospitality can coexist with modern economics, but it also places a spotlight on government policy and budget choices. The outcome could influence small-business strategies across the hospitality sector and shape how communities invest in shared spaces.
Key Takeaways
"It is a real pleasure to announce this year’s top 16 pubs."
Andrea Briers on the regional winners list
"Achieving this in the face of rising costs is no small feat."
Briers on the financial pressures pubs face
"These pubs are shining examples of what makes the Great British pub so special."
CAMRA praise for regional champions
"Pubs are the heartbeat of our towns."
General sentiment about pubs in communities
The win for a historic venue mirrors a broader trend: communities rely on pubs not just for drinks, but as gathering spaces and economic anchors. By spotlighting regional champions, CAMRA reinforces the idea that traditional pubs can compete with new concepts while preserving local character. Yet the piece also foregrounds policy as a practical pressure point. Rising costs and calls for government support raise questions about how budget decisions affect small businesses that weave culture and commerce together. The story is as much about resilience as about recognition, and it hints at a policy debate that could reshape the industry.
Highlights
- Heritage, hops, and a garden escape in one pint
- Pubs survive by warmth more than numbers
- History stands tall where neighbours raise a glass
- A bleached lion watches over a thriving pub garden
Budget and political implications risk
The article highlights rising costs and a call for Autumn Budget intervention. This ties pub success to government policy, making it a potential flashpoint for budget reactions and political debate.
Communities are watching how policy supports these living rooms of local life.
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