UK Weekend Adventures – The Iconic “Ale Trail”

Have you heard of the Ale 🍺 Trail in the UK?

For those who haven’t, the Ale Trail started as a marketing scheme in the UK. The aim was to promote tourism to rural areas in the UK and encourage people to visit a series of pubs close to rail stations along a railway line. The concept is very similar to a pub crawl but personally, I find it more picturesque and a wonderful way to explore a country with friends, family and other travelers.

Today, Ale Trail’s have become very popular for tourists and UK locals alike, with UK locals using this activity to celebrate birthdays, bachelor / bachelorette parties, have city breaks, etc.

My girlfriends and I, decided to use the excuse of a birthday to finally experience this fun and unique way to visit pretty villages in the UK, while drinking a cheeky pint or two along each stop. (Special thanks to Eva, Anneka and Martina for making the day such an entertaining one.)

See how easy it is to follow our trip below.

🚂 Train Route

Manchester Piccadilly Toward Slaithwaite

This is the Transpennine Real Ale Trail and considered the most popular of the Ale Trails with 8 stops total.

Things To Note
• Book a same day return train ticket. Currently £12.10 here.
• There’s only a train once an hour. (Plenty of time to drink a pint.)

🍺Best Real Ale Pubs On Route

Train Stop	Pub
Stalybridge	Buffet Bar
Greenfield	Donkeystone Brewery
Marsden	Riverhead Brewery Tap
Slaithwaite	The Commercial P.S. Grab delicious pizza @ Anello Pizza

🚂🍺See Additional Ale Trails Below

• Crouch Valley Rail Ale Trail
• Maritime Rail Ale Trail
• Tarka Line Rail Ale Trail
• Tamar Valley Line Rail Ale Trail
• St Ives Bay Line Rail Ale Trail
• Maritime Line Rail Ale Trail
• Looe Valley Line Rail Ale Trail
• Atlantic Coast Line Rail Ale Trail

Ready To Plan Your Own Ale Trail? Check out “Book Your Trip Here” to get started.