The Black Horse is best pub in the city for third year running – but narrowly misses out on UK-wide pub crown

A historic pub has continued its ‘best pub in the city’ status but narrowly missed out on the UK-wide crown.

The Black Horse in Friargate is now on a three-year run of being named as the Central Lancashire Campaign For Real Ale’s (CAMRA) Pub of the Year.

Made grade-II listed in 2022 the pub, which famously has three separate entrances and exits onto different streets, was rebuilt in 1898.

The pub had also made the final four of CAMRA’s UK-wide pub of the year competition but lost out to The Bailey Head in Oswestry, Shropshire.

CAMRA’s Central Lancashire chairman Adrian Smith said: “We had been holding out for the result of the 2024 National Pub of the Year competition – where the Black Horse was in the final four, but sadly not the winner – but still a tremendous achievement.

“It is quite unprecedented for a pub to win the branch Pub Of The Year three years running. However this is an exceptional pub – not just in architectural terms but in the attention to detail, the range and quality of the beer and cider on offer and the attitude of the licensee and his staff.”

The Black Horse will receive their Central Lancs Award during a presentation at the pub on Thursday (23 January) from 7.30pm.

Real fires and cosy rooms at The Black Horse. Pic Lisa Brown

The Black Horse's beautiful tiled bar Pic Lisa Brown — Real fires and cosy rooms at The Black Horse. Pic Lisa Brown

Subscribe: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.