Rail Ale Trails

Pub opening hours are subject to change, so please check ahead before travelling.

Enjoy scenic Devon and Cornwall by train and savour traditional real ales and fine rural pubs along the way.
There are six self-guided trails to choose from, and you can win a T-shirt by collecting stamps as you go.

Take it easy: Each trail is intended to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace and not all in one day. Please drink responsibly and respect your fellow pub goers, rail passengers and staff.

How it Works...

Enjoy a scenic day out by train

Get off to sample great pubs

At each pub, get your sheet stamped

With 10 stamps get a fab t-shirt

The Full Guide

Our top tips

All our trails are self-guided, so we've jotted down our top pointers to help you plan the perfect trip. If you still have questions, feel free to give us a call at the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership office on 01752 584777.

1. Choose a line to explore

Click the illustrated characters above to read about each trail.

 

Once you’ve chosen, save or print your line’s train timetable (handy in case mobile signal is patchy), and think about how long you plan to spend at each location, to see how this matches up with the train times.

 

It’s always best to phone pubs in advance to check details haven’t changed, and to let them know if you’re bringing a large group.

 

2. Get off to sample great pubs

With an Off-Peak Day Return ticket, you can can hop on and off at stations along the way (as long as you continue in the same direction of travel), as long as you keep going in the same direction of travel. There’s no need to buy in advance, as these tickets are the same price on the day.

 

If you’re travelling in a group of three to nine people, ask for the GroupSave discount to get a third off. For large groups, fill in Great Western Railway’s Group Travel form.

3. Get Your Sheet Stamped

Before you set off, print a copy of your line’s stampsheet (below) for each member of your party.

 

Then at each participating pub, present your sheet and train ticket to a member of staff. They will stamp it with a unique Rail Ale Trail stamp.

 

Please respect staff at busy times and choose your moment to ask!

4. With 10 Stamps get a fab t-shirt

When you have ten stamps, follow the instructions on your sheet to receive your free T-shirt (while stocks last).

 

Each trail is intended to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace and not all in one day.

 

Please drink responsibly and respect your fellow passengers on trains, at stations, pub goers and pub staff. Enjoy!

Download Stamp Sheets