The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has revealed the final 16 contenders in the running to be named 2026 Pub of the Year, with the Turks Head in St Helens representing Merseyside and Cheshire.
The historic Tudor-style pub, which dates back to the 1870s, was previously included in CAMRA's top 16 pubs in 2024. It offers a rotating line-up of 14 handpulls, a selection of real ciders, and a large whisky and gin bar. The upstairs Tower Lounge room hosts live music and events for local community groups and features an extensive variety of craft and continental beers.
Super-regional stage ahead
Following the recent announcement of winners in England's regions and the overall Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland winners, the shortlist has been narrowed down to 16. All of these pubs, including the Turks Head, will now go forward to the next round of judging. The pubs 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."
She added: "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."
CAMRA calls for tax changes
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."
He added: "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."
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.
CAMRA's top 16 pubs
The full list of CAMRA's top 16 pubs is: Railway Arms, Saffron Walden (East Anglia); Malt Shovel Tavern, Northampton (East Central); Railway Inn, Ketton (East Midlands); Cockpit, Chislehurst (Greater London); Turks Head, St Helens (Merseyside and Cheshire); Olde Cross, Old Ryton Village (North East); Northumberland Arms, Marple Bridge (North West); Dog and Duck Inn, Lisbellaw (Northern Ireland); Steam Packet Inn, Isle of Whithorn (Scotland); Bell, Waltham St Lawrence (South Central); Nelson Arms, Tonbridge (South East); Fallen Tree, Clevedon (South West); Mold Alehouse, Mold (Wales); Alma Inn, Linton (West Central); Tamworth Tap, Tamworth (West Midlands); and Countryman's Inn, Hunton (Yorkshire).
