Top pubs make up 13-strong 'St Helens Ale Trail' in the town centre

Coinciding with the 15th anniversary of being a local CAMRA branch, the St Helens and Districts Campaign for Real Ale group designed a map to help pub-goers enjoy the town's real ale scene earlier this year.

The local organisation has drawn up a map of 13 pubs that proudly serve real ale in the town centre, which are available at local pubs for people to pick up while enjoying a beverage.

The town centre map is the first in a series of maps that cover St Helens, with further maps to be designed for outer-lying areas such as Rainford, Rainhill, Prescot and Whiston.

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The Royal Alfred

The Royal Alfred, on Shaw Street (Image: Stock)

The traditional pub reopened after a makeover and new owners in July 2022.

Located opposite St Helens Central station on Shaw Street, the pub has five real ale pumps, live sports, screens to show train times and a real fire.

The George

The George, on George Street (Image: Google Maps)

Located on George Street, the small and friendly local boozer has three real ale pumps, primarily from Wigan Brewhouse.

The pub has traditional bar games and live sports on screens.

The Glass House

The Glass House, on Market Street (Image: Google Maps)

The large Wetherspoons pub on Market Street is a popular town centre pub converted from a former indoor market.

With food and drink options, there are eight real ale pumps at the venue.

The Nelson

The Nelson, on Bridge Street (Image: The Nelson)

Located on Bridge Street, the Nelson is a popular place to watch Saints games with its live sports screens.

The pub has two real ale pumps and a fish and chip shop attached to the building.

The Running Horses

The Running Horses, on Chalon Way (Image: Fleurets)

The newly-reopened Running Horses has been a long-time favourite for Sintelliners on Chalon Way, which opened as Chicago Rock more than two decades ago.

Lancashire-based independent company Green Leisure secured a long-term lease for the venue this year after Wetherspoons departed the venue in November 2021 - with its owners currently looking to rebrand in a bid to get punters back in the town centre.

There are currently three real ale pumps at the venue, along with food, pool tables, sports screens and live entertainment.

The Market Tavern

The Market Tavern, on Bridge Street (Image: Google Maps)

Located on Bridge Street, the large town centre pub has three real ale pumps.

Beers are often sourced from local and regional breweries, with live sports also on at the pub.

The Sefton

The Sefton, on Baldwin Street (Image: Google Maps)

A popular boozer in the town centre, the Sefton has also been a regular sport for people to watch Saints games and live music at West Fests over the years.

The Baldwin Street pub has five real ale pumps and has a large room down one side.

The Lamb Inn

The Lamb Inn, on Corporation Street (Image: St Helens Star)

The recently renovated Lamb has earned many plaudits since its refurbishment and reopening late last year.

Originally built as a pub in 1854, the traditional pub still retains many of its original features on Corporation Street.

With six real ale pumps, the pub also has a real fire and live sports on its screens.

The Cowley Vaults

The Cowley Vaults, on Cooper Street (Image: The Cowley Vaults)

To the north of the town centre on Cooper Street, the Turks' Head sister pub is well known as a popular community pub.

The pub has six real ale pumps, along with traditional bar games, live sports, a real fire, and large beer garden to its side.

The Turks Head

The Turks Head, on Cooper Street (Image: St Helens Star)

Across the road from the Cowley Vaults, the Turks Head is CAMRA's 'Branch Pub of the Year'.

One of the most popular pubs in St Helens, the Turks was recently voted as one of the top 16 pubs in the entire country by CAMRA members.

Built in the 1870s, the Cooper Street pub houses 14 real ale pumps, food, live sports, a real fire, and an upstairs lounge.

The New Talbot Alehouse

The New Talbot Alehouse, on Duke Street (Image: Google Maps)

Located on Duke Street, the traditional pub has four real ale pumps.

With a separate bar, there is often live music and events at the Talbot, with a beer garden and live sports also housed at the pub.

The News Room

The News Room, on Duke Street (Image: St Helens Star)

Just further down the road on Duke Street, the News Room has gained a reputation as a stylish and attractive intimate pub.

With a warm and friendly atmosphere, there are three real ale pumps at the pub with music on large screens, as well as a range of cocktails.

The Cricketers Arms

The Cricketers Arms, on Peter Street (Image: St Helens Star)

CAMRA's 'National Pub of the Year' in 2017, the Cricks is another one of St Helens' most popular pubs.

With a yearly 'Cricks Fest' to sample a range of beers and ales, there is currently 13 real ale pumps at the Peter Street boozer.

Winning multiple CAMRA awards over the years, the Cricks also contains an in-house brewery, pizza oven, real fire, beer garden, and live sports.

CAMRA's town centre 'Ale Trail' in St Helens town centre (Image: CAMRA)