Calling all ale lovers, we have brought Christmas to you early because the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Good Beer Guide 2025 has been released.

The gospel of real ale hotspots and top quality boozers was first published by CAMRA in 1972 and is the UK's best-selling beer and pub guide.

And in 2024, a huge amount of local pubs and bars have made the list.

Kingston

Albion, 45 Fairfield Road, KT1 2PY

The Albion is a member of the Big Smoke Brew family (Credit: The Albion, Kingston)

The Albion is a proud member of the Big Smoke Brew Co family; a young brewery and pub company based in the leafy suburbs of Esher in surrey.

CAMRA said: "Part of the Big Smoke brewery chain, serving ales mostly from small breweries nationwide and up to four changing ciders.

"Varnished wooden floors and comfortable wood-panelled seating areas extend back to a rear patio garden with heaters, gin distillery and a glazed garden room (available for hire).

"Music is from an extensive collection of vinyl LPs. Home-cooked food is served lunchtime and evenings (all day Fri-Sun). Board games are available and a Sunday night quiz. A former local CAMRA Pub of the Year."

Ales include: Big Smoke Solaris Session Pale Ale, Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter, and eight changing beers (often 360 Degree and Big Smoke).

Park Tavern, 19 New Road, KT2 6AP

The Park Tavern is dubbed as Kingston's 'Best-kept Secret' (Credit: The Park Tvern Kingston)

Dubbed as Kingston's "Best-kept Secret", the Park Tavern is the only family-owned freehouse in Kingston upon Thames.

CAMRA said: "Near the Kingston gate into Richmond Park, this 150- year-old pub has been owned by the same family for over 30 years. The ceiling displays an impressive collection of pumpclips.

"Cards and dominoes are available, with children welcome until evening. As well as the front outside seating, which is available all year round, the rear garden is open in summer months."

Ales include: Fuller's London Pride,Young's London Original, and four changing beers (often Adnams and Ascot).

Willoughby Arms, 47 Willoughby Road, KT2 6LN

The Willoughby Arms is a gracious 'Victorian pile' in North Kingston (Credit: The Willoughby Arms)

The Willoughby Arms is a gracious Victorion 'pile' situated in North Kingston.

CAMRA said: "Friendly Victorian back-street local, with a games and TV sports bar and a quieter lounge area. Upstairs is a soundproofed function room.

"Free of tie, it sources beers from smaller breweries. Pizzas and pies are cooked to order. The spacious garden includes heated beach huts and a covered, heated and lit smoking area with a large TV screen. Quiz night is Sunday; folk music plays on Monday nights.

"A former local CAMRA Pub of the Year."

Ales include: four four changing beers (often Exeter and Twickenham).

Wych Elm, X 93 Elm Road, KT2 6HT

The Wych Elm in Kingston has ails supplied by Asahi (Credit: Google Maps)

North Kingston's Wych Elm is a great little pub nestled in the heart of its community.

CAMRA said: "Tucked away in a residential area, this is a delightfully warm and welcoming local pub. The guest ales are supplied by Asahi but one is often from another brewery; a Master Cellarman takes care of the beers.

"The food is traditional pub staples with a vegetarian option.

"There is a secluded garden and log-burners in winter. Some major sporting events are shown; parties and celebrations can be hosted. Charity quizzes, piano and wine evenings are also held."

Ales include: Dark Star Hophead, Fuller's London Pride, ESB, and two changing beers (sourced locally).

Surbiton

Antelope, 87 Maple Road, KT6 4AW

The Antelope is a member of the Big Smoke Brewery family *Credit: The Antelope, Surbiton)

The Antelope is a proud member and the founding pub in the Big Smoke Brew Co family.

CAMERA said: "The original home of the Big Smoke brewery, with two of its cask beers and a wide range of changing guest beers available.

"The spacious split-level interior has a real fire in winter and a covered, heated and lit courtyard behind, beyond which the old brewhouse serves as a dining or function room. Four changing ciders are usually sold.

Home-cooked food includes Sunday roasts. Three beer festivals are held annually. A former local CAMRA Pub of the Year."

Ales include: Big Smoke Solaris Session Pale Ale and eight changing beers (often 360 Degree and Big Smoke).

Coronation Hall , St Marks Hill, KT6 4LQ

The Coronation Hall is a Wetherspoons pub (Credit: Tilly O'Brien)

As part of the Wetherspoon's chain, the Coronation Hall boasts a large room with an upper balcony seating area and stays open the latest of all the pubs and bars in Surbiton.

CAMRA said: "A Wetherspoon pub in a large and impressive building dating from 1911.

Various former uses included a lecture hall, cinema, bingo hall and nudist club. The decor within the split-level interior is a mix of movie stars, film artefacts, the coronation of George V and the planets.

"Guest beers change regularly, many from local breweries. Occasionally the pub hosts local beer festivals. Wheelchair access is via a side entrance. Children are welcome until evening."

Ales include: Fuller's London Pride, Greene King Abbot; Ruddles Best Bitter, Sharp's Doom Bar, and four changing beers (often Adnams, Oakham, and Sambrook's).

Lamb, 73 Brighton Road, KT6 5NF

The Lamb is a family-run pub located in the heart of Surbiton (Credit: Google Maps)

Situated at the heart of Surbiton, The Lamb is a family-run pub. Liz and Adam took it over nearly a decade ago and it has since become a pillar of the local community.

 CAMERA said: "This small, family-run free house hosts many community events, especially those bringing people together through creativity. Live music often plays.

"Built in 1850 and formerly comprising four separate rooms and a small brewery, it retains the original horseshoe-shaped bar.

"Changing beers are usually from a microbrewery, sometimes local. Visiting local caterers serve evening food from the outdoor kitchen (Wed-Sun). Children are welcome until evening. Behind is an extensive, covered outside area. Local CAMRA Pub of the Year 2024."

Ales include: Hop Back Summer Lightning, Surrey Hills Shere Drop, and two changing beers (sourced nationally).

The book is currently discounted for its launch, at £14.99. (credit: CAMRA).

Special to this year, CAMRA's Good Beer Guide 52nd edition will feature not one but two covers, starring two of the UK's favourite fictional locals: Coronation Street's Rovers Return Inn, and Emmerdale's Woolpack.

The Guide, which lists 4,500 of the best pubs across the UK, is the definitive beer drinker's guide for those seeking the best pints in the nations' pubs – and costs £14.99 online.

Despite the tough trading environment facing a lot of licensees, they continue to battle against the odds, and the 2025 Guide boasts over 900 pubs that are new to this edition.

Information in the Guide is collated by thousands of CAMRA volunteers who give up their time every year to select the best of the best across the UK. As well as covering 143 of the very best pubs across Merseyside and Cheshire, it includes 36 new pub entries across the counties.

With two of ITV's flagship soaps being referenced on the cover, the foreword of The Good Beer Guide 2025 has been written by multi award-winning TV executive producer Iain Macleod.

In his foreword, MacLeod wrote: "...the story which threatened one of our pubs the most was also the one which most resonated with our times."

He continued: "In 2023, the Rovers Return closed its doors. A combination of the lingering legacy of the Covid lockdowns and the cost-of-living crisis meant that landlady Jenny Bradley couldn't afford to keep it open.

"The characters – and the viewers – lamented the news like the loss of a loved one. If it were needed, it was a timely reminder of the central place the nation's pubs have in our lives and in our affections."

The amount of pubs continues to decline in the UK, but CAMRA shines a light on these businesses. In total, there were 38,175 pubs in the UK at the end of 2023, down from 41,015 a decade earlier.

Ash Corbett-Collins, the national chairman of CAMRA, said: "The Rovers Return Inn and the Woolpack represent the UK's love of their local, and to have them featured on the covers for this year's Guide is very exciting."

"In 2023, the Rovers Return closed its doors. A combination of the lingering legacy of the Covid lockdowns and the cost-of-living crisis meant that landlady Jenny Bradley couldn't afford to keep it open.

"The characters – and the viewers – lamented the news like the loss of a loved one. If it were needed, it was a timely reminder of the central place the nation's pubs have in our lives and in our affections."

Ash added: "CAMRA's mission is to ensure support from the Government as well as tangible legislation to protect pubs in this country. By next year's edition of the Guide, we want to be talking about the beer and pub trade growing with the support of communities and parliament alike."

This year's Guide is sponsored by Midland Snacks Traditional Pork Scratchings and endorsed by Cask Marque.

The Good Beer Guide 2025 was released last week, 26 September 2024, and is available to purchase now from this link.