A historic Tudor-style pub dating back to the 1870s is representing Merseyside on the list
The Turks Head pub, Cooper Street, St Helens(Image: Liverpool Echo)
CAMRA has revealed the final contenders in the running to be named 2026 Pub of the Year. Following the recent announcement of the winners in England’s regions and overall Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland winners, the shortlist has been narrowed down to 16.
All of these, including the pub representing Merseyside and Cheshire, will now go forward to the next round of judging. The pubs now advance to the ‘super-regional’ stage of the competition, with a ‘final four’ announced in October, ahead of the reveal of the overall National Pub of the Year in January 2027.
Andrea Briers, Pub of the Year competition co-ordinator, said: “We have a formidable top 16 this year, with both familiar faces and some first-time winners in the mix. Behind each one is a deserving and hard-working team, running an amazing pub for their local community, and serving brilliant cask beer.
“Please make the most of this bank holiday weekend by showing your support for the UK’s amazing pubs. You never know, you might pick one that ends up a winner next year.”
The Turks Head in St Helens is flying the flag for the region. An attractive Tudor-style pub dating back to the 1870s, the Turks Head has previously been included in our top 16 pubs, in 2024.
The pub offers a rotating line-up of 14 handpulls, a selection of real ciders and contains a large whisky and gin bar. An extensive variety of craft and continental beers can also be found in the upstairs Tower Lounge room, which hosts live music and events for local community groups.
Ash Corbett-Collins, CAMRA chairman, said: “CAMRA’s Pub of the Year competition highlights the very best that the UK has to offer, but unfortunately, it’s much more common that licensees are struggling with day-to-day trading.
“The new Prime Minister and Chancellor have the power to change that. With the next UK Budget coming up, they could take action on business rates, draught beer duty and VAT, to deliver a Budget for beer drinkers and publicans.”
CAMRA’s Top 16 pubs:
East Anglia: Railway Arms, Saffron Walden
East Central: Malt Shovel Tavern, Northampton
East Midlands: Railway Inn, Ketton
Greater London: Cockpit, Chislehurst
Merseyside and Cheshire: Turks Head, St Helens
North East: Olde Cross, Old Ryton Village
North West: Northumberland Arms, Marple Bridge
Northern Ireland: Dog and Duck Inn, Lisbellaw
Scotland: Steam Packet Inn, Isle of Whithorn
South Central: Bell, Waltham St Lawrence
South East: Nelson Arms, Tonbridge
South West: Fallen Tree, Clevedon
Wales: Mold Alehouse, Mold
West Central: Alma Inn, Linton
West Midlands: Tamworth Tap, Tamworth
Yorkshire: Countryman’s Inn, Hunton
The competition comes as CAMRA asks the UK Government to make changes to tax arrangements for pubs and brewers, including VAT, draught beer duty and action on sky high energy bills.
The campaign is also calling on the UK and devolved governments to urgently commit to a new, fairer system of business rates to help pubs compete with cheap supermarket alcohol, on top of the additional year of rates relief announced by the new Prime Minister for pubs in England last month.
