Wallingford pub owner ‘speechless’ at UK awards recognition

Award-winning pub The Dolphin in St Mary’s Street, Wallingford, has been named as a finalist in the Great British Pub Awards 2026.

The awards, described as ‘the Oscars of the pub industry’, highlight the very best boozers in Britain, and select their shortlist across 16 categories from an ‘incredible number of top-quality entries’.

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The Dolphin has been shortlisted as one of six pubs under the ‘best Greene King pub’ category.

The Dolphin pub in St Mary’s Street, Wallingford (Image: Madeleine Evans / Newsquest)

Emma Cox, landlady, said: “To even be named as a finalist is something we’re genuinely speechless about.

“We pour everything we’ve got into this pub, and to have that recognised on a national stage is an incredible feeling.

“This is for our amazing team and every one of you who has supported us, filled the bar, cheered at the football, eaten with us, laughed with us, and made The Dolphin what it is.

Emma Cox, landlady of The Dolphin in Wallingford (Image: Supplied)

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“Whatever happens next, we’ll be celebrating this one. Thank you for being part of our journey.”

It’s not the first time the Greene King pub has won recognition, after being crowned the brand’s Pub of the Year 2026 at the Night of Excellence Awards in April.

The pub has been proudly run by Ms Cox and her family for 23 years, is considered the heart of the community in town and was even recognised by King Charles when the landlady was invited to the Buckingham Palace Garden Party for her service to Wallingford.