We're so proud to be named Camra's Pub of the Year 2026
“A very proud moment for our little pub,” say the owners of a popular community pub that’s scooped a big award.
Blues in Whitburn village has won both Pub Of The Year, and Cider Pub Of The Year in CAMRA’s 2026 Pub and Club of the Year competitions.
It’s the latest accolade for the dog-friendly pub, which has been pulling quality pints in the South Tyneside village for six years after being established by Alice and Callum Watson.
Creating the pub, which opened just before the pandemic in 2020, has been a real labour of love for the couple who transformed the former Whitburn Newsagents shop.
Commenting on the win, they said: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to announce that we are this year's Sunderland and South Tyneside CAMRA Pub of the Year 2026 and Cider Pub of the Year 2026!
“A huge huge thanks to our regulars and everyone who voted for us! We are incredibly lucky to have such a great community here and the pub simply does not exist without you all! A very proud moment for our little pub.”
Runner up in the pub competition is the Dun Cow in Sunderland City Centre and the third place is Steps in Washington Village.
The Avenue in Roker is runner up in the cider pub competition.
The winner of the Branch Club of the Year award is Boldon Cricket Club in East Boldon, runner up is Ryhope Catholic Club and previous winner Mid Boldon Club is third.
The perfect pint
To find the winners of the competition, volunteers from CAMRA (campaign for real ale), visit and judge a shortlist of pubs on:
*Service and welcome
*Knowledge of the beers and ciders on offer
*Quality of the beers and ciders
*Cleanliness and staff hygiene
*Community focus and style
*Decor and atmosphere.
Blues has won both branch and regional cider competitions before, but this is the first time they have come out top in the pub competition.
CAMRA defines real cider as being made only from pressed fruit, not frozen or concentrate.
The 2026 entry for the pub says: “This friendly micropub offers five cask ale handpulls, up to six real ciders,and nine keg beers, plus craft bottles and cans.
“There is an outdoor area and further seating upstairs with a games room. A cask ale and wine club is held on Wednesday. Thursday is pie and pint night, with a free cheeseboard every Sunday.”
Additionally, there is a whisky night once a month where a rare whisky is offered at a promotional price.
The listing for Branch Club of the Year award, Boldon Cricket Club, says: “The Cricket Club has a family friendly, single, roomy bar with pool table, a dart board and TVs which show sport.
“Both of the two handpulls usually have Maxim beers. There are squash courts to the left of the bar and a function room to the right, and an outside drinking area overlooks the cricket pitch in front of the club.
“They have a very good website which includes a brief history of the club.”
Club of the Year goes forward to the regional stage of the club's competition.