The prestigious award for the Swan and Railway, presented by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Wigan branch, recognises excellence in real ale quality, consistency, atmosphere, and community engagement.
Judges praised the pub on Wallgate for its outstanding range of well-kept real ales, welcoming atmosphere, commitment to maintaining high standards and being a real asset to the Wigan community.
Owner John Brearley said: “I am thrilled that The Swan and Railway has been named Wigan CAMRA Pub of the Year.
"I reopened this beautiful historic pub in 2019 and was determined to put it back at the heart of the town, restored respectfully to its historic features, offering a real pub welcome to all and of course serving cracking real ale.
“Our restoration won the Historic England conservation category in The CAMRA National pub design awards in 2020 which is the blue ribband for pub conservation.
“And now winning this award recognises the care we’ve put into this pub making it, we hope, truly a stand-out for the Wigan area
“I believe we must never lose sight of the fact that pubs are about people, winning this award and the support we’ve had from the people of Wigan just confirms that for me, belting as they say round here!”
5. Wigan CAMRA Pub of the Year
Team members, from left, Ali Ashall, Iain Wright, John Brearley and Shelley Wright Photo: Photographer Michelle Adamson
6. Wigan CAMRA Pub of the Year
Inside one of the hotel rooms Photo: Photographer Michelle Adamson
7. Wigan CAMRA Pub of the Year
Swan and Railway Hotel Photo: Photographer Michelle Adamson
8. Team members, from left, Shelley Wright, John Brearley, Iain Wright and Ali Ashall, celebrate at the Swan and Railway Hotel, Wallgate, Wigan, has been named Wigan CAMRA - Pub of the Year 2026.
Team members, from left, Shelley Wright, John Brearley, Iain Wright and Ali Ashall behind the bar Photo: Photographer Michelle Adamson