CAMRA Good Beer Guide: 10 of the best Wiltshire pubs

The Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) has launched its 2025 Good Beer Guide, which lists 4,500 of the best pubs across the UK and is described as “the definitive beer drinker’s guide for those seeking the best pints”.

In total, 62 Wiltshire venues made the cut to be included in the 52nd edition of the UK’s best-selling beer and pub guide.

Chairman Ash Corbett-Collins used the launch as an opportunity to call on the government to protect pubs by introducing “tangible legislation”.

The full list of pubs included in the Good Beer Guide can only be read by purchasing the latest edition from the organisation’s website.

But CAMRA has allowed us to list 10 of the best Wiltshire pubs found in the collection.

The Three Crowns

The Three Crowns was take over by Broadtown Brewery last year (Image: The Three Crowns) A prominent venue on The Causeway in Chippenham, The Three Crowns was taken over by locally based Broadtown Brewery last year.

CAMRA praised the pub for its “excellent range of real ales and popular quiz nights.”

The Flying Monk

The Flying Monk in Chippenham (Image: Google Maps) Another Chippenham pub, The Flying Monk is found in the Market Place and is once again included in the guide thanks to its offering of Belgian and craft beers.

Performances are held outside the pub annually during the busy Chippenham Folk Festival.

Dumb Post Inn

Dumb Post Inn landlord Richard Board (Image: The Dumb Post Inn) A free house in an elevated position between Chippenham and Calne, the Dumb Post is found in Bremhill and has a terrace overlooking parts of the Bowood Estate.

The pub boasts award winning food menus offering both traditional and gastropub options.

Piggy Bank Micropub

The Piggy Bank's opening in 2021 Calne’s first micropub opened at a converted former bank on The Strand in 2021 and has since provided a range of cask ales and keg beers from the local Stealth Brew Co.

CAMRA says the venue’s layout encourages “conversation and community atmosphere.”

The Five Bells

Simon and Becci Cole at The Five Bells (Image: CAMRA) The Five Bells in Royal Wootton Bassett is a regular in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide and landlords Simon and Becci Cole have been running the pub since 1998.

The inclusion means a double celebration for the venue, which was named Swindon and North Wiltshire Pub of the Year 2024 in March.

The Silk Mercer

The Silk Mercer in Devizes (Image: Google Maps) This Wetherspoon owned pub in Devizes town centre makes a “deserved” first appearance in the guide.

The Mercer occupies a prominent Grade II listed building hosts regular beer festivals, during which up to 50 ales are available.

The British Lion

Mike Dearing at The British Lion (Image: Google Maps) Far from a first-time entry, The British Lion on Estcourt Street in Devizes has been an ever-present in the collection for three decades.

Under Mike Dearing, who has been the landlord for over 30 years, the “unpretentious” pub has served an ever-changing range of real ales and last year won a CAMRA gold award – one of only 50 given out. 

The Hiding Place Micropub

The Hiding Place Micropub (Image: Google Maps) This High Street micropub also sources its beer locally from Stealth Brewery Co and is run in conjunction with the brewery.

The Two-storey venue is described as having a “bright and welcoming open-plan area, and comfortable sofas upstairs.”

The Castle Inn

The Castle Inn reopened in 2021 This “popular” Bradford on Avon watering hole, found on Mount Pleasant, commands views across the town towards the Salisbury Plain.

The venue is another former award winner after scooping a national CAMRA award for its refurbishment in 2008.

The Rose & Crown

The Rose and Crown in Trowbridge (Image: Google Maps) Dubbed “the best pub in Trowbridge”, the Stallard Street venue makes the Good Beer Guide again.

CAMRA praised the pub for its “pleasant bar and cosy feel”, and the opportunity to watch Premier League football or take part in the monthly quiz nights.