Tarka Line
Rail Ale Trail

Explore the scenic Tarka Line, stopping off at pubs along the way to enjoy locally brewed ales and excellent food. Please note the Beer Engine is no longer on the trail.

The trail is self-guided. Win a T-shirt by getting 10 stamps on your printable stamp sheet.

Pubs on the trail

Opening hours may change. Check before travel.

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

✔ Take it easy: Enjoy the trail at a leisurely pace and not all in one day. Please drink responsibly and respect other pubgoers, rail passengers and staff. Cheers!

Tarka Line Rail Ale Trail T-shirts

Win a T-shirt

Collect 10 stamps from pubs on the trail, then email or post in your sheet (with proof of train tickets) to win a fab T-shirt.

Print out the stamp sheet to get started.

T-shirt colour may vary from shown.

Win a T-shirt

Collect 10 stamps from pubs on the trail, then email or post in your sheet (with proof of train tickets) to win a fab T-shirt.

Print out the stamp sheet (one copy per person) to get started.

T-shirt colour may vary from shown.

GWR train

Train tickets

Group travel icon

If you're travelling in a party of 3 or more, buy your train tickets together to save a third with the GroupSave discount.

Single or couple icon

If you're doing the trail solo or with a friend, a Devon & Cornwall Railcard is an alternative way to save a third (available to local residents only).

Return icon

An Off-Peak Day Return ticket from Exeter to Barnstaple costs £14.00 (before any discount) and allows you to hop on and off as long as you continue in the same direction of travel.

Tickets icon

Buy your tickets online or at station ticket offices. For groups of 10 or more, book via GWR group travel.

Top tips

Plan ahead
Think how long you might spend in each pub and how this fits with train times.
Check with pubs
Opening hours can change (especially in winter), so please call pubs to check. Let them know if bringing a large group.
Bring your stamp sheet
Print one per person and show it to pub staff (pick a quiet time where possible) to get it stamped.
Have a timetable to hand
Save, screenshot or print the train timetable PDF in case mobile signal is patchy.
Getting to the station
Get walking & bus times from the Traveline journey planner, or look up parking.
Stamping Tarka Line sheet

Questions? The trail is managed by the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership. Email railaletrails@dcrp.org.uk or call the office on 01752 584777.

Questions? The trail is managed by the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership. Email railaletrails@dcrp.org.uk or call the office on 01752 584777.

More trails to explore

Plymouth - Gunnislake

Enjoy a pint next to the river as you visit the villages of the Tamar Valley.

Salisbury - Exeter

New trail with South Western Railway spanning Wiltshire, Somerset, Dorset & East Devon.

Liskeard - Looe

Travel alongside the scenic estuary to the atmospheric seaside town of Looe.

Liskeard - Looe

Travel alongside the scenic estuary to the atmospheric seaside town of Looe.

Truro - Falmouth

Take in the history of Cornwall's capital and the attractive port town of Falmouth.

Truro - Falmouth

Take in the history of Cornwall's capital and the attractive port town of Falmouth.

Penzance - St Ives

Visit the artists’ paradise of St Ives on one of Britain’s most scenic branch lines.

Par - Newquay

Explore the villages of the 'clay country' en route to the popular seaside town of Newquay.