Iconic Preston boozer named as CAMRA's Pub of the Year 2025

The Black Horse in Preston has been names CAMRA's Central Lancs Pub of the Year
-Credit:CAMRA


The Black Horse in Preston has been named CAMRA's Central Lancs Pub of the Year for 2025.

The stunning Victorian Grade II listed boozer features fantastic original features including the semi circular ceramic bar, mosaic floors and tiled walls. It is famed for being the only pub in Britain to have entrances on three different streets.

A seating area has been dubbed the ‘Hall of Mirrors’ due to the impressive use of original stained glass. That area is also known as the 'Horseshoe' among locals, due to the U-shaped seating arrangement. The Black Horse is owned by Robinsons of Stockport with ten handpumps, serving their own beers plus up to seven changing guest beers from far and wide, plus a range of ciders.

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Landlord Dan Taylor said: "This really is the validation that the staff need to show them their hard work has really been worthwhile.”

The bar at the traditional Black Horse pub in Preston
The bar at the traditional Black Horse pub in Preston -Credit:TripAdvisor

Robinsons Brewery Marketing Director David Bremner said: “We’re all chuffed to bits. The pub was on its knees when Dan took over. We’ve worked with him and his team to turn the pub round. Running as a virtual free house is not in our business model but it works for this pub. Preston is a great city for real ale and we’re proud to be part of the community.”

Brought up in Stoke, landlord Dan Taylor spent many years running pubs in Bolton, as well as working at CAMRA's Bolton Beer Festival. He credits his excellent cellarmanship to good training by ‘Fletch’, long-time Bar Manager of the Volunteers Arms at CAMRA’s Great British Beer Festival. Dan also encourages his staff to learn about what they are serving, which he says makes the job more enjoyable as well as providing useful skills for their careers.

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Dan has been at the Black Horse for eight years and enjoys an excellent working relationship with Robinsons Brewery who own the pub. The landlord takes pride in the quality of the beer served to the customers at the Black Horse, and maintains that if he does not think the beer is ready and perfect, it doesn't go on.

Inside the Black Horse, Preston
Inside the Black Horse, Preston

The presentation and branch social will take place at the Black Horse, Friargate, on 23rd Jan from 7:30.

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