WEST Somerset public houses have excelled in this year’s annual awards given by the Somerset branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

The 2025 ‘pub of the year’ title went to the Ship Inn, Porlock, known in the village as the ‘Top Ship’, with Watchet’s Pebbles Tavern also being a finalist.

Pebbles then went on to win the ‘cider pub of the year’ 2025 award, a title which CAMRA acknowledged it won ‘most years’.

Almost making it a hat-trick of West Somerset triumphs was the Esplanade Club, in Watchet, which was a finalist in the 2025 ‘club of the year’ category.

A CAMRA spokesperson said the bar of Porlock’s ‘Top Ship’ was ‘a real gem’ with flagstone floor, open fire, and settle seating.

The spokesperson said: “It has changed little since featuring in RD Blackmore’s novel ‘Lorna Doone’ and is grade two listed.

“The pub dates from the 13th century and sits at the bottom of the notorious Porlock Hill that takes you up to Exmoor.“

Up to eight ales and a local cider are available depending on time of week, and good food can be enjoyed in its restaurant or delightful three-tiered garden in summer.

“The landlord also runs the ‘Bottom Ship Inn’, at Porlock Weir.”

Pebbles, which has been South West cider pub of the year and twice runner-up in the national awards, was also the Somerset winner two years ago.

The spokesperson said: “This small, unique tavern has won numerous CAMRA awards for cider pub of the year since 2014.

They said: “As well as the ales, there can be up to 30 ciders, 60 gins, 24 rums, and 64 whiskeys.

“You are allowed to bring in your own food from various shops in Watchet.

“Poetry night is first Tuesday of month, and regular music nights include folk, sea shanty, jazz, and acoustic.”

The Esplanade Club, which dates to the 1860s, also won the Somerset club title two years ago and in total has taken the award six times since 2010.

The CAMRA spokesperson said: “This is a club, which means that the bar may be only open to members, built as a sail making factory and now home to the boat owners association.

“The club is an archive of local history and memorabilia with unique murals and even its own Tardis.

“There are great views over the marina and Bristol Channel.

“The club is a busy music venue with live acts every weekend, open mic on first Tuesday of the month, and folk every fourth Wednesday.”

The club has been named for 15 years in a row in CAMRA’s ‘Good Beer Guide’.

The awards are due to be formally presented to the winners on April 26.

CAMRA is a volunteer-led organisation which hosts beer and cider festivals around the UK, with its annual meeting being held next month in Torquay.

It was founded by four real ale enthusiasts in 1971 with a mission to see quality real ale, cider, and perry, and thriving pubs in every community.