Tiny English pub that used to be a prison named one of the best in the UK

THERE are plenty of quirky boozers across the UK, but this is one of the best in the country, and it’s inside a former prison.

Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has revealed the 16 regional and national winners in its Pub of the Year 2025 competition, and Hole in the Wall in Cornwall has made the list.

Inside the pub has a traditional feel with a fireplace and wooden beams[/caption]

The pub also has a paved courtyard[/caption]

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The Hole in the Wall pub is found in Bodmin and was declared the best boozer in the South West by CAMRA.

The history of the pub is rich, as the building it occupies used to be a debtor’s prison.

It operated as this between 1749 and 1779 and was used to imprison people who owed money.

The name of the pub refers to the fact that prisoners would be passed food through a hole in the wall.

Inside there are some other strange features, including a stuffed lion behind a glass cabinet.

More traditionally, the pub has an open fire along with wooden beams. There’s a conservatory and a sunny paved courtyard, which is filled with plants and flowers.

While lots of drinks are on offer, there’s currently no food served at the pub.

But as detailed on Cornwall Guide, customers may bring their own food including takeaways or a picnic.

One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor: Love this place! It is a real gem of a pub with quirky little rooms and garden areas. Each room was filled with curiosities and memorabilia of all kinds – a real conversation starter.”

The pub doesn’t serve food but customers can take their own[/caption]

Another described it as a “quirky little pub full of history.”

A third said: “A friendly and popular locals’ pub. Proper pub, a former 18th century debtors’ prison with seven real ales on pump.”

The pub made the list for CAMRA’s Pub of the Year 2025 – the awards aim to celebrate the best boozers in the UK and are judged on atmosphere, décor and quality cask beer, real cider and perry.

The next step is that they will battle it out for the chance to be named CAMRA’s overall Pub of the Year with the winner being revealed in January 2026. 

In East Anglia, Blackfriars Tavern in Great Yarmouth has been crowned the best in the area.

Meanwhile, in the East Midlands, the Orange Tree in Baldock has been named the best in its area.

This 300-year-old pub has home-cooked dishes and quiz nights for the locals.

The Burnt Pig in Ilkeston has been crowned the best pub in the East Midlands, and it opened just 10 years ago.

Read on for the full list of the best regional and national pubs in the country as judged by CAMRA.

Plus, the UK pubs that have their own campsites with cheap pitches for less than the price of a pint.

And the seaside pub named one of the best in the UK with ‘floating’ beer garden by the beach.

Hole in the Wall has been named the best pub in the South West[/caption]