Warrington Pubs: The Best Pubs and Where to Drink

The Warrington pubs most often named by the local branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) are the Tavern on Church Street, the Lower Angel on Buttermarket Street and the Hop Emporium in the market. Further out are the Ferry Tavern at Penketh and the Brewery Tap in Lymm. Every entry was checked on 26 October 2026, against the pub’s own site or, where it has none, its CAMRA listing.

We have not visited these pubs for this guide, and nothing here is a review. Each entry sets out what the pub says about itself, what CAMRA’s North Cheshire branch records about its beer and hours, and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) hygiene rating where the pub serves food. Awards come from the branch’s roll of honour. Hours change, so check before a special trip.

Town centre

The Tavern, Church Street

The Tavern is a single-room pub and the brewery tap for 4T’s. CAMRA’s listing says it has been in the Good Beer Guide every year since 2000. The cask ales are colour-coded by style, light to dark, on a beer menu at the end of the bar. Bottled craft beers, ciders and Belgian beers are stocked too. Sport is shown on several screens, and Warrington Wolves memorabilia is on the walls. It was the branch Pub of the Year in 2005. Hours: Monday to Wednesday 3pm to 11.30pm; Thursday 3pm to midnight; Friday 2pm to midnight; Saturday 12pm to midnight; Sunday 12pm to 11.30pm. Hygiene rating 4 (FSA, 20 July 2026). 25 Church Street, WA1 2SS. Our listing.

The Lower Angel, Buttermarket Street

The Lower Angel is a former Peter Walker pub that keeps its brewery stained glass. CAMRA describes a lounge, a vault, a sheltered beer garden at the back and seats out front. Nine rotating guest beers usually include a dark mild and a stout or porter, alongside Wily Fox’s Crafty Fox. It was the branch Pub of the Year in 2003 and a finalist again in 2026. Hours: Monday to Thursday 10am to 11.30pm; Friday and Saturday 10am to midnight; Sunday 12pm to 11pm. The pub has no website of its own; call 07375 881706. Hygiene rating 5 (FSA, 9 October 2024). 27 Buttermarket Street, WA1 2LY. Our listing.

Hop Emporium, Warrington Market

The Hop Emporium is a bar inside the Cookhouse food hall at Warrington’s new market. CAMRA says it is run by CAMRA members, with three rotating cask ales, usually including a dark beer, plus a house ale and craft beers. A paddle of three third-pints is available, food comes from the Cookhouse stalls and there is live music on Saturdays. It was a branch Pub of the Year finalist in 2024, 2025 and 2026. Its hours follow the Cookhouse: Monday to Thursday 11am to 6pm; Friday and Saturday 11am to 10pm; Sunday 11am to 6.30pm. Hygiene rating 5 (FSA, 30 June 2026). Unit 14, Time Square, WA1 2NT.

Costello’s Bar, Time Square

Dunham Massey Brewing Company opened this Costello’s in February 2022, next to the cinema in Time Square. CAMRA’s listing counts ten handpumps serving up to eight changing cask ales from the Dunham Massey and Lymm Brewing ranges, with Big Tree Bitter and Bridgewater Blonde as regulars. It notes a ventilation system fitted with Covid in mind, and 30p off a pint on Mondays. Hours: Monday to Wednesday 12pm to 11pm; Thursday 12pm to midnight; Friday and Saturday 12pm to 12.30am; Sunday 12pm to 11pm. Call 01925 954846. We could not find it on the FSA register under its own name. 36 Time Square, WA1 2NT.

The Albion, Battersby Lane

The Albion has a large Victorian frontage. Historic England lists the building at grade II. CAMRA says it has two real fires and up to four real ales from independent brewers, often local. There are live bands, jam nights and karaoke. Wednesdays rotate between comedy, a quiz and bingo, and there is a pool table. It was the branch Community Pub of the Year in 2022 and a Pub of the Year finalist in 2024. It is cash only, with enquiries through its Facebook page. Hours: Monday to Thursday and Sunday 12pm to midnight; Friday and Saturday 12pm to 1am. Hygiene rating 5 (FSA, 10 June 2024). 94 Battersby Lane, WA2 7EG. Our listing.

Stockton Heath and Sankey Valley

Costello’s Bar, Stockton Heath

This is the original Costello’s, on the A49 in the middle of Stockton Heath and owned by Dunham Massey Brewing Company. CAMRA describes a relaxed modern bar, refurbished in early 2023, with seven handpumps of Dunham Massey and Lymm Brewing beers, including Dunham Dark. There is live music regularly on Sunday evenings. It was the branch Pub of the Year in 2018. Hours: Monday to Wednesday 12pm to 11pm; Thursday 12pm to midnight; Friday and Saturday 12pm to 12.30am; Sunday 12pm to 11pm. Call 01925 600910. Hygiene rating 5 (FSA, 13 October 2025). Walton Road, WA4 6NJ. Our listing.

London Bridge Inn, London Road

The London Bridge is a JW Lees pub on the A49 where it crosses the Bridgewater Canal. CAMRA says there has been a pub on the bank here since 1776. It was fully refurbished in spring 2025, and its terrace looks over the water. The pub’s website calls it a family friendly pub and takes table bookings. JW Lees Bitter and Manchester Pale Ale are the regular cask beers. Hours: every day 12pm to 11pm, food 12pm to 8pm. Call 01925 267904. Hygiene rating 5 (FSA, 11 June 2025). 163 London Road, WA4 5BG. Our listing.

The Maltings, Sankey Valley Park

The Maltings won Best Pub for Dogs at the Great British Pub Awards, run by the Morning Advertiser, in September 2026. Its website calls it “an award winning dog friendly pub in the heart of Sankey Valley park”, where “your dog is free to join you for any occasion”. CAMRA notes that it is a former farmhouse that opens early for breakfast, with Timothy Taylor Landlord among the cask beers. Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 9.30am to 11pm; Sunday and Monday 9.30am to 10pm. Food is served to 9pm, or 8pm on Sundays. Call 01925 502362. Hygiene rating 4 (FSA, 2 March 2026). Bewsey Farm Close, WA5 9PB. Our listing.

Grappenhall, Thelwall and Hatton

The Parr Arms, Grappenhall

The Parr Arms stands on the cobbled lane beside St Wilfrid’s, the village church, which is listed at grade I. The pub’s website promises “open roaring fires” and a range of cask ales. CAMRA adds that it has oak beams and tables out on the cobbles, and that it was refurbished in late 2024. The regular beers are from Robinsons. Bar hours: Monday to Thursday 12pm to 11pm; Friday 12pm to 11.30pm; Saturday 12pm to 11pm; Sunday 12pm to 10.30pm. Food is served to 9pm, or 8.30pm on Sundays. Book by phone on 01925 212120. Hygiene rating 5 (FSA, 26 February 2026). Church Lane, WA4 3EP. Our listing.

Little Manor, Thelwall

Little Manor is a Brunning & Price pub in its own grounds beside a park on Bell Lane. It was the branch Pub of the Year in 2022, and CAMRA notes it came under new management in August 2026. Its website says children are welcome away from the bar. It has full disabled access, a disabled toilet and disabled parking. Well-behaved dogs on a lead are allowed away from the dining areas. Bookings are taken, with a waiting list for walk-ins. Hours: Monday to Saturday 11am to 11pm; Sunday 11am to 10.30pm. Call 01925 212070. Hygiene rating 5 (FSA, 21 July 2026). Bell Lane, WA4 2SX. Our listing.

The Pickering Arms, Thelwall

The Pickering Arms is a listed building at the heart of Thelwall village. CAMRA points to an inscription on the gable ends about Edward the Elder founding a city here and naming it Thelwall. The pub’s website calls it “a traditional family-friendly pub” with a rear garden over open country and walks along the Bridgewater Canal from the door. Tuesday is pie night, any pie for £11 from 5pm. Black Sheep Best Bitter and Timothy Taylor Landlord are the regulars. Hours: Monday to Saturday 12pm to 11pm; Sunday 12pm to 10.30pm. Food is served daily 12pm to 8pm. Call 01925 361408. Hygiene rating 5 (FSA, 15 January 2026). Bell Lane, WA4 2SU. Our listing.

The Hatton Arms, Hatton

The Hatton Arms fills a 17th century row of cottages, extended into the old village post office. CAMRA lists it as having a regionally important historic pub interior. It has low beams, several small rooms and five real fires. The red phone box outside holds a small library and a public defibrillator. CAMRA also notes that buses do not run at weekends. The cask beers include Coach House Cheshire Gold and Wainwright Gold. Its website gives hours of Monday to Saturday 12pm to 11pm and Sunday 12pm to 9pm. Call 01925 730314. Hygiene rating 4 (FSA, 10 June 2025). Hatton Lane, WA4 4DB. Our listing.

Lymm

The Brewery Tap, Bridgewater Street

The Brewery Tap is a converted red-brick post office next to the canal bridge, in the same building as Lymm Brewing Co. CAMRA describes two rooms, one with armchairs and a wood-burning stove. The changing beers come from sister breweries Dunham Massey and Lymm, with at least one dark beer. There are open-mic nights twice a month and weekly live bands. It was the branch Pub of the Year in 2024. Lymm Brewing’s website gives the hours: Monday to Wednesday 12pm to 11pm; Thursday 12pm to midnight; Friday and Saturday 12pm to 12.30am; Sunday 12pm to 11pm. Call 01925 755451. Hygiene rating 3 (FSA, 31 March 2026). 18 Bridgewater Street, WA13 0AB. Our listing.

The Saddlers Arms, Bridgewater Street

The Saddlers is a small, traditional free house a few steps from the Bridgewater Canal. CAMRA’s listing says it was first owned by the village saddler. It has a snug with a real fire as well as the main bar, and the emphasis is on conversation. The regular beers are JW Lees Bitter and Wainwright Gold. The guest pump rotates through Boddingtons, Bootleg Fool’s Gold and Hydes Hopster. Formula One fans meet here. The branch shortlisted it for Pub of the Year in 2020. Hours: Monday to Friday 4pm to 11pm; Saturday and Sunday 1pm to 11pm. Call 01925 758161. 7 Bridgewater Street, WA13 0AB. Our listing.

The Spread Eagle, Eagle Brow

The Spread Eagle is a JW Lees pub with a black and white frontage in the middle of the village. CAMRA says it was refurbished in summer 2026. Inside there is a snug with a real fire, a public bar, a lounge and a restaurant, with a garden at the back. It adds that local Morris dancers sometimes rehearse in the function room. The pub’s website takes table bookings and gives hours of Monday to Saturday 11am to 11pm and Sunday 12pm to 11pm. Food is served to 9pm, or 8pm on Sundays. Call 01925 757467. Hygiene rating 5 (FSA, 25 February 2025). 47 Eagle Brow, WA13 0AG. Our listing.

The Golden Fleece, The Cross

The Golden Fleece is a Greene King pub at Lymm Cross, with outdoor seats beside the Bridgewater Canal. CAMRA calls it “very much a locals pub”. Darts are played in the public bar, sport is on several screens and the lounge has seats for meals. Abbot and Old Speckled Hen are among the cask beers, though only three are kept over the winter. Hours: Monday to Saturday 12pm to 11pm; Sunday 12pm to 10.30pm. Call 01925 755538. Hygiene rating 4 (FSA, 12 December 2024). 41 The Cross, WA13 0HR. Our listing.

The Barn Owl Inn, Agden Wharf

The Barn Owl is a family-run pub on the bank of the Bridgewater Canal, east of Lymm village. CAMRA mentions a heated conservatory, a canalside patio and wooden carvings at the front. It also notes a lower-priced menu for the over-60s. The pub was the branch Pub of the Year in 2004. Its website gives hours of Tuesday to Sunday 12pm to 9pm. It is closed on Mondays except bank holidays. Book online or call 01925 752020. Hygiene rating 4 (FSA, 15 September 2026). Warrington Lane, WA13 0SW.

Penketh

The Ferry Tavern, Fiddlers Ferry

The Ferry Tavern says it stands “on its own island between the River Mersey and the Sankey to St Helen’s canal”, on the Trans Pennine Trail. CAMRA says it was first licensed in 1762. Andy and Jade have run it since 2005, taking over from Jade’s parents. The bar page lists six handpumps midweek and up to ten at weekends, plus more than 100 whiskies. The pub serves pies, not meals, with pop-up food on Fridays. It was the branch Pub of the Year in 2002 and 2023. Hours: closed Monday; Tuesday and Wednesday 12pm to 11pm; Thursday to 11.30pm; Friday and Saturday to midnight; Sunday 12pm to 11pm. Hygiene rating 5 (FSA, 29 July 2026). Station Road, WA5 2UJ. Our listing.

How we chose

We started from the pubs that the North Cheshire branch of CAMRA has named Pub of the Year, or shortlisted, in recent years. To those we added a national award winner, the Maltings, and long-established village pubs. Then we checked each one on 26 October 2026, against its own website, its CAMRA listing and the Food Standards Agency register. We left out the Rams Head at Grappenhall, because its website was not working when we checked, and any pub rated below 3 for hygiene. Nobody listed has paid to be here.

For more ideas, see things to do in Warrington, what’s on this month, our Sunday roast guide, the Warrington restaurants guide, our cafes guide and the pubs in our directory.

Run a place that should be here, or spot something that has changed? Email newsdesk@warringtonwire.co.uk.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best pub in Warrington according to CAMRA?

North Cheshire CAMRA’s 2026 Pub of the Year was the Hayhurst Arms at Bostock Green, outside the borough. Two Warrington pubs were finalists: the Hop Emporium in Warrington Market and the Lower Angel on Buttermarket Street. Recent branch winners inside the borough are the Ferry Tavern at Penketh (2023), the Brewery Tap in Lymm (2024) and Little Manor in Thelwall (2022).

Which Warrington pubs allow dogs?

The Maltings in Sankey Valley Park won Best Pub for Dogs at the 2026 Great British Pub Awards and says dogs can join you for any occasion. Little Manor in Thelwall welcomes well-behaved dogs on a lead away from the dining areas, according to its website. Ask the others before you go.

Which Warrington pubs are by the canal or the river?

The London Bridge Inn at Stockton Heath and the Barn Owl Inn near Lymm sit on the Bridgewater Canal, and the Golden Fleece and the Brewery Tap are beside it in Lymm village. The Ferry Tavern at Penketh stands between the River Mersey and the St Helens Canal, on the Trans Pennine Trail.