9 pubs in and around St Helens listed in CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2024

CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide for 2024 was released today, charting the best pubs and breweries across the country.

This is the 51st edition of the Campaign for Real Ale’s yearly release, which is the UK’s best-selling beer and pub guide, with 4,500 of the best pubs surveyed this time around.

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In St Helens, the George pub on George Street, St Helens, is a new addition to the list being featured for the first time.

Meanwhile, the Howzat Brewery, based at the Cricketers Arms, in St Helens, has also been listed.

There are nine pubs in St Helens and surrounding areas included on the list which are among those featured from the Merseyside area.

Pubs

Here is a look at the nine pubs around the area listed:

Firkin, High Street, Newton-le-Willows

The Firkin (Image: .)

A former shop, this small, friendly establishment dispenses a selection of eight real ales, including at least one dark, all of which are sourced from micro/SIBA breweries.

Small seating areas are to the front and the rear, with pictures of old Newton on the walls. Free from background noise, this is somewhere to engage in conversation with like-minded people, and to make new friends. Closed Monday to Wednesday; over-18s only.

Bard, High Street, Prescot

The Bard (Image: St Helens Star)

A Shakespeare-inspired micropub in Prescot featuring quality real ales, craft beers, ciders, wine and artisan spirits. There is normally a selection of cask and keg beers from local breweries and interesting beers from further afield. A selection of board games are available for customers to enjoy. The pub is normally closed on Tuesday but does open if Prescot Cables FC have a home match. A quiz night takes place on a Wednesday.

Watch Maker, Eccleston Street, Prescot

A Wetherspoon freehouse with a friendly welcome. Alongside the standard national ales there is a focus on local breweries, earning the pub LocAle accreditation. Prescot was one of the main centres for watchmaking during the 18th and 19th centuries, and the pub is decorated with elements of watchmaking memorabilia. It has a small outside area to the front of the building and often organises coach trips and other social activities.

Star Inn, Church Road, Rainford

The Star Inn (Image: Google Street View)

Standing near the edge of Rainford village, the Star has a cosy, comfortable bar at the front of the building serving beers sourced from local breweries, with a large selection of wine and a range of spirits available. Meals are served every day except Monday and Tuesday in the restaurant to the rear.

Skew Bridge Alehouse, Dane Court, Rainhill

Skew Bridge Alehouse (Image: Stock)

This micropub in the centre of Rainhill offers a selection of six high-quality cask ales, four real ciders and two craft lagers. Locally sourced ales are complemented by beers from all over the UK. A good range of gins and single malt whiskies are also stocked. With no TV or music to distract customers, conversation is very much encouraged. A wide selection of board games is available for use.

Cricketers Arms, Peter Street, St Helens

Cricketers Arms (Image: St Helens Star)

A former CAMRA National Pub of the Year, this family-run community establishment has 13 handpulls, real ciders and a range of spirits. An outside bar increases the number of handpulls on the first weekend of the month (Apr-Oct). Freshly prepared stonebaked pizzas and cheese boards are available. In 2020 the on-site Howzat brewery started producing their own house beers for this pub and others within the local area.

George, George Street, St Helens

The George (Image: Google Street View)

A short walk from the main train and bus stations is this small, friendly town-centre local. It primarily serves beers from Wigan Brewhouse, with a range of international beers also available, as well as a selection of gins and other spirits. A small beer garden is to the rear of the pub. The pub is popular on St Helens RLFC match days.

Turk’s Head, Morley Street, St Helens

The Turks Head (Image: Stock)

Attractive Tudor-style 1870s pub near the town centre. Real ales and ciders are on 14 handpulls, and there is a large whisky and gin bar. The upstairs Tower Lounge serves cocktails plus craft and continental beers, and hosts live music on Saturday evening. Quality home[1]made food is available every day. There is a large beer garden to the side and rear with an outside bar, and the adjacent Cowley Grill serves food from Wednesday to Sunday. Local CAMRA Pub of the Year.

BeerEngin, Greenes Road, Whiston

BeerEngin (Image: Stock)

Set in a row of shops, this cosy, single-room microbar is a delight as soon as you walk in. It serves six real ales, plus craft beers, wines and a selection of unusual gins. A warm welcome is assured for all, including dogs. Check opening hours before visiting on bank holidays. Local CAMRA Pub of the Year 2022

Breweries

Howzat Brewery

Cricketers landlord Andy Evans, outside Howzat at its launch in 2019 (Image: St Helens Star)

A brewery in the grounds of the Cricketer’s Arms – a former CAMRA National Pub of the Year.

The Good Beer Guide can be bought here

Credit: CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale)