Ale Trail

Welcome

Welcome to the Ale Trail, or to give it its full title, The Transpennine Real Ale Trail.

The ale trail is a great day out, encompassing the best of great ales, good old fashioned pubs, interesting locations, and good pub grub, all linked together by a single rail line.

Where to find the Ale Trail

From Stalybridge in Lancashire to Batley in West Yorkshire, the ale-trail takes you on a unique journey through the Pennines callling at 8 fantastic locations, each one having a real-ale pub within a couple of minutes walk from the station. Some even have more than one. To find the ale-trail, click on the Map.

Who Goes On The Ale Trail ?

The simple answer is everyone. The ale trail is a popular destination for Stag & Hen parties, Pub Trips, Birthdays, or any other excuse you can think of for a great day out.

The trails growing popularity among real ale drinkers, led to it being featured in the BBC2 TV series "Drink To Britain" where Oz Clarke & James May visited three of the featured locations. Watch The Video Here.

Planning Your Day Out

The most common place to start is Stalybridge, but there are no right or wrong ways to do the trail, start at either end or in the middle and visit as many or as few of the destinations as you like. Visit half the stations on the way there, and the other half on the way back - its up to you!

If you want to take your time, there are plenty of places to stay over.

Check out how other people have done the trail, and their advice on our f eedback page.

Also featured in this guide are links to local events and festivals should you wish to plan a return trip to any single destination.

The Trains

Train tickets can be purchased at Stalybridge, Greenfield, Huddersfield, & Dewsbury, or alternatively on the train - but this may cost a little more.

As a rough guide, a ticket from Stalybridge to Batley cost us £10.90.(11/06/2011) This was an "off peak day return ticket".

The trains allow approx 1 hour at each station, but please check with the train operators for exact times.

Is there an App. for this?

The phone app has now been updated for 2012 giving train times, directions to pubs and other local information.

To download the ale trail app to your mobile - log onto www.ale-trail.co.uk on your mobile and select the mobile phone icon from this page.

If your phone supports QR code (2D Barcodes) - click here

To see a preview of the app online - click here

Safety First...

Following a number of recent events relating to the ale trail, our friends at First Transpennine Express, Northern Rail, & The British Transport Police have asked us to convey a message of safety to all setting out on the Trail.

Please read this press release before setting out, and make sure everyone has a fantastic, safe day.

Fancy Dress ?

Whatever the reason for your trip, no party is complete without the mandatory accesories, from air guitars to wigs, hats, t-shirts, and shades visit our store for everything you need for a day out with a difference. (Flat caps are a must, but whippets are optional)

Done The Trail ?

Have you done the trail ? Let us know what you thought. Pass on any hints and tips to fellow "trailers", or tell us any interesting stories you have. You never know, we may make them a permanent feature.

Leave your feedback here

Alternatively email any stories / photos to admin@ale-trail.co.uk and we'll put them on the feedback pages.

The Stations

Visit each of the stations below for a virtual tour of the ale-trail.