Cheers

There isn't much better than relaxing in a pub enjoying a few pints of real ale, especially with a bit of background music and some good company.

2024: I joined CAMRA having been inspired by my local real ale pub. Unfortunately this pub closed and with no other real local options I lost my inspiration and motivation. I let my membership lapse after just one year.
Wetherspoon pubs have a good selection but their lack of music isn't really my thing, especially when I'm out on my own, but they do accept CAMRA Discount Vouchers.

2026: It is now the end of March and I've re-joined after finding motivation from hunting real ales on a recent holiday adventure. I joined the committee, at the AGM on 11th April. At their committee meeting on 17th April, they approved me helping with the website and transport information.

This website is still in early development as I play around with different design ideas.

NEW PROJECT PLANS - Redesign Pages as Local Guides, to include public transport.
Guide 1 - Prescot

Information correct as at 28th-31st March 2026 and subject to change/correction
More information about the Pubs & Clubs is available on the CAMRA website

Real Ale Finder App📱

But why Real Ale?

I'm not a fan of Lager and the generic bitters, such as John Smiths and Tetley's aren't great pints.

Chain Pubs such as Greene King, Stonegate & Punch Pubs usually stick to their limited lists of breweries but do offer 1 or 2 guest beers.
JD Wetherspoon & Stonegate pubs usually accept 🎫 CAMRA Discount Vouchers.
Greene King & Fullers pubs usually offer 💷 CAMRA Discounts, as do some independent pubs.

With a variety of options from Real Ales there are some really enjoyable beers.
Types include: Pale Ales, Citra, Amber, Red, Bitter, Porters, Stouts, etc.
Whether you like Citrus, Tropical, Grapefruit, Hops, Chocolate, Coffee, there are so many options to explore.
Don't rush your pint, or play games like "Split the G", just enjoy your drink and get value for money.

But what about the price? You may pay a little more but then enjoyment of a better pint is worth it, especially if you are in a group exploring various beer options. Some pubs will offer a small discount for CAMRA members - this is usually 20p or 10%. Don't ask if they do discounts as this can annoy them, just hope they ask if you are a CAMRA member - this is a green flag for the pub too.

🍏 Cider? Of course there is Real Cider too but CAMRA's rules for this make it a challenge to find in some parts of the country, although they do have a list of all the real cider producers on their website. St Helens has a few good offerings.

My search for Real Ale

Here in Page Moss, Huyton, there is The Oak Tree and The Swan but neither of these offer any real ale.
Most of my other choices around the local-ish area are JD Wetherspoon, Greene King or Mitchell & Butler. May of these accept CAMRA vouchers but their ranges are usually limited to their approved list breweries. There are a few other real ale offerings from Whitbread & Thwaites

So, are there any independents?
Well, yes there are a couple. Firstly CASK on Queen's Drive. The owner took over The Coach House, Liverpool and The Bard, Prescot, unfortunately both these ventures failed very quickly. I've barred myself from CASK due to a conflict of interest.
Then there is the highly respected, and compact, Beer EnGin 🍏📱 in Whiston, unfortunately this a little out of the way for me and it has limited opening hours, which rarely work for me. They also serve Real Cider. There isn't anything else in the local area for me either.

My search, on this website, covers an area of approx 10 miles, to the East of my home, primarily due to decent public transport links.
Warrington, 11 miles away, is likely to be included next. Outside Liverpool City Centre there are few offerings.

Reaching out further, into the St Helens & Districts region

I work in Prescot, so what's there?
There are still quite a few pubs and bars in Prescot, unfortunately most don't sell any real ale.
However, there is:
The Watch Maker - JD Wetherspoon - 3 regulars and 4 changing beers - CAMRA Vouchers accepted
The Blackface, Thwaites Amber and 1 other changing beer
Sun Inn, Thwaites Wainwright, Adnams Ghost Ship, John Smiths and 1 other changing beer? (pub re-opened 27-Mar-2026)
Deanes House, (re-opened 4-Dec-2025) - no real ale anymore but they hope to re-introduce some this year, dependent on Punch Pubs.

Due to open in June is the Prescot Station Waiting Room Pub, run by the operators of The Station House Café.

On the road to St Helens, Bus 10 route, are Greene King's The Wellington and The Grapes, where you can get a CAMRA discount

Rainhill? No CAMRA Discounts but some real ale:
Skew Bridge Alehouse📱4 changing beers
Commercial Hotel📱3 changing beers
The Coach & Horses, Timothy Taylor's Landlord & Sharp's Atlantic Pale Ale
Rainhill Rec, usually the same beers as the Commercial, to help keep costs low. Club with member prices for CAMRA members.

So, is St Helens my best option for real ale, outside Liverpool?

Well... Probably
Starting with The Glass House, JD Wetherspoon, where CAMRA Vouchers are accepted.
Stonegate's The Sefton📱Cask Ale £2.50 every Tuesday. (pub re-opened 6-Mar-2026)

For a CAMRA Discount there are a few choices:
Royal Alfred📱4 changing beers
The George📱3 changing beers, usually from Wigan Brewhouse
The Lamb Inn📱6 changing beers
The Cricketers Arms📱14 changing beers, including their own Howzat beers, 🍏 Real Cider
The Cowley Vaults📱6 changing beers, 🍏 Real Cider
Turks Head📱14 changing beers, 🍏 Real Cider

And there's more real ale on offer in the St Helens Town Centre at:
Little George Quarter📱2 changing beers
The Tipsy Tap, 3 changing beers

St Helens & Districts Real Ale Pubs & Clubs not yet included on this website