The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has revealed the 16 regional and national winners in its Pub of the Year 2025 competition – with The Burnt Pig at Ilkeston being named the best pub across the East Midlands.
The Derbyshire Times were invited to visit the pub – and these photos offer a glimpse inside the award-winning venue.
9. Praise for support from customers
Ben said: “We’ve been named the best pub in the East Midlands, and we’ve been shortlisted in the top 16 pubs across the UK. It’s now just waiting to hear if we get through to the last four in October. That would be quite mind-blowing, when you think about how many great pubs there are across the UK. Our customers make this place - I just keep the beer and open the doors but they create the atmosphere and make it what it is.” Photo: Brian Eyre
10. “Fantastic feeling” as pub landlord
Ben added: “It’s hard, but every small business has got it hard at the moment. We are all really struggling, but you don’t do this sort of thing to make yourself rich. It’s not about the money, it’s about the love of it - meeting different people every day, the banter in the pub, and going through our regulars’ lives with them. You’re living it all the time and it’s such a fantastic feeling.” Photo: Brian Eyre
