Celebration at The Turks Head and The Cowley Vaults as Both Pubs Scoop Top CAMRA Awards 

PRESS RELEASE 

15 June 2026 

 

The Turks Head on Morley Street was all smiles on Sunday 14 June as staff proudly accepted their Pub of the Year certificate – along with the title of Cider Pub of the Year from St Helens and Districts CAMRA. 

Adding to the celebrations, sister pub The Cowley Vaults secured a strong second place in the Pub of the Year competition and received recognition for its commitment to serving quality real cider. Both awards were presented by the new St Helens and Districts CAMRA Chair, Jerry Liversidge. 

Glorious sunshine set the tone for a lively afternoon in the shared beer garden, complete with a bouncy castle for families and live music from Simon Brady – the perfect backdrop for a community‑spirited celebration. 

This marks the seventh Pub of the Year win for The Turks Head since the St Helens branch formed in 2008, highlighting both pubs’ dedication to serving top‑quality real ale and cider. 

Landlord of both pubs, Daryl Arrowsmith, said: 

“I’m thrilled to win Pub of the Year again. The team at the Turks Head has worked incredibly hard, and I want to thank the staff, our customers and CAMRA for their support. 

“I’m also really chuffed that The Cowley has come second. It’s fantastic to see it shine in its own right and the staff have worked hard to help it stand out, not just as the ‘sister pub’. I’m over the moon.” 

CAMRA Pubs Officer, Ian Pye, added: 

“Being shortlisted alone is a major achievement. It shows these pubs consistently serve excellent real ale and are among the very best in our branch. 

“At a time when many pubs face rising costs and closures, CAMRA remains committed to supporting great pubs. Encouraging people to explore venues they may not have visited before helps strengthen communities and reminds everyone that pubs are vital social hubs.” 

The Turks Head will now compete against winners from Liverpool, Southport and Wirral for the title of Merseyside Pub of the Year, with the regional winner to be announced in the coming weeks. 

This year’s Pub of the Year shortlist included: Beer EnGin (Whiston), Cowley Vaults, Cricketers Arms, The Firkin (NLW), The Kikfield (NLW), The Lamb Inn, The Star Inn (Rainford) and The Turks Head. 

 ENDS  

 Notes to Editor:  

St Helens and Districts CAMRA comes under Merseyside and Cheshire region and currently has over 700 members. It is a not-for-profit organisation made up of volunteers who campaign for quality real ale, cider and perry in thriving pubs across St Helens and surrounding areas and advocates pubs and clubs as social centres in the local community and promotes the benefits of responsible social drinking. 

 Branch meetings usually take place on the 4th Wednesday of the month. The meetings are informal and fairly short and are a great way to have a general catch up with local brewery, pub, and social news – always held at local pubs that serve real ale.