Atlantic Coast Line Rail Ale Trail in Cornwall: Scenic Pubs, Real Ale and Railway Adventure

The Atlantic Coast Line Rail Ale Trail is a self-guided pub-crawl by train through Cornwall, linking the south-coast port of Par with the surfing capital of Newquay. Launched in 2005, it invites travellers to board the branch-line train and alight at stations en route to sample Cornish ales and local fare in welcoming village pubs. The 50-minute journey covers stunning scenery – from the wooded Luxulyan Valley and wild Goss Moor inland to the golden beaches of Newquay – making for a truly scenic backdrop to each pub stop. In effect, the Atlantic Coast Line trail is a “train-based pub crawl” across mid-Cornwall. By combining rails and ale, it brings beer enthusiasts and travellers together: you leave the car behind, breathe the ocean air, and hop off at cosy inns for a pint or two. The experience is a hit with groups and solo adventurers alike, offering a memorable day out in Cornwall’s countryside and coast.

The Rail Ale Trail Concept

Rail ale trails are a uniquely British idea: a series of self-guided pub visits along rural rail lines, designed to promote tourism and support local pubs. In each trail, participants travel by train, hop off at stations, and visit nearby pubs that often just lie a short walk from the platform. Every time you buy a drink and show your rail ticket, the pub stamps your trail booklet or “passport”. Once you’ve collected enough stamps (usually 10 stamps), you can mail in the completed card to claim a souvenir – traditionally a special Rail Ale Trail T-shirt. This challenge adds fun and structure to the day, encouraging you to explore multiple pubs without driving. Importantly, the scheme is often supported by CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) and local authorities. Cornish Rail Ale Trails highlight locally brewed ales and community pubs; as one observer notes, the beer “is usually brewed locally and many of the pubs offer food as well”. In other words, you’ll find authentic Cornish cask ales and hearty regional dishes at the stops. The Atlantic Coast Line trail follows this model: originally it featured 16 pubs from Par to Newquay, and today dozens of venues along the route participate. (By collecting 10 pub stamps, you can indeed win the official trail T-shirt.) Altogether, the Rail Ale Trail is a sustainable tourism initiative: no driving needed, just sit back on the train and enjoy “pub after pub of excellent ale, scenery, and West Country charm”.

The Atlantic Coast Line – A Scenic Cornish Branch

The Atlantic Coast Line (Par – Newquay branch) is itself a major attraction. It’s one of the community rail lines supported by the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership, with regular promotion and guides. Trains depart Par (on the Cornish main line near St Austell) and snake through the heart of Cornwall’s former china clay country. Early in the ride you sweep through Luxulyan Valley, a thickly wooded gorge with 19th-century mining remains (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Shortly after Luxulyan, the track passes under the old Treffry Viaduct and skirts the sprawling Goss Moor nature reserve. By the time the train nears Newquay, the scenery shifts dramatically to Atlantic dunes and golden surf beaches. As Great Scenic Railways puts it: “Travelling through the beautiful Luxulyan Valley, across the Goss Moor and finally glimpsing views of the Atlantic Ocean is a great way to arrive in the popular surf resort of Newquay”. Indeed, the ride is about 50 minutes end-to-end, and offers a microcosm of Cornish landscapes – quiet clay pits and farmland, followed by sea air and big skies.

The railway terminates right in central Newquay, avoiding all the town’s traffic and parking headaches. Some locals even use it regularly: according to the rail partnership, usage on this line has grown over 120% since 2001 thanks to better services and promotions. (Note: trains are operated by Great Western Railway, with extra services in summer. The line is single-track except for a passing loop at Bugle, so scheduling is modest.) Passengers are welcome to bring bikes and dogs aboard – indeed the line markets itself as family- and pet-friendly – so it’s easy to combine outdoor activities (like walking or cycling near the stations) with the pub stops. Overall, the Atlantic Coast Line is as much a heritage journey as a transit route: it follows old Cornwall Minerals Railway track and gives passengers an accessible cross-section of the county.

Pubs Along the Route

A highlight of the trail is the variety of pubs you encounter from Par up to Newquay. Nearly a dozen establishments (villagers call them “rail ale pubs”) are featured, each within a few minutes’ walk of a station. The typical stop is a friendly country inn with real ales on tap and simple pub grub. Many are family-run and steeped in local history. Below is a flavour of what you’ll find, travelling northbound:

• Par and Tywardreath (South Cornwall). Right outside Par station is The Royal Inn, an unassuming corner pub with a “welcoming and cosy ambience” and a good range of real ales. Around the corner on Par Green is the Welcome Home Inn, a community pub truly open to all (“Everyone is welcome at the Welcome!” boasts its slogan). Both serve simple pub plates and are popular with locals after work. A short stroll (or bus ride) further east brings the harbour village of Par and The Par Inn, described as a “friendly and relaxed pub for all the family”. Tywardreath (1½ miles from Par) has the New Inn, a quaint 18th-century coaching inn that once won CAMRA’s “Village Pub of the Year” award. Don’t miss the Ship Inn at Polmear (near the coast just east of Par) – it’s an 18th-century tavern “warm and friendly” and only a stone’s throw from the beach. In short, the trail starts with a cluster of Par-area pubs (five in total) offering real ale and Cornish hospitality.

• Luxulyan and Bugle (Central Cornwall). A few minutes north of Par is Luxulyan Village. Its station is only a short walk from the Kings Arms, a traditional country pub set “in the heart of the village and very near the railway station”. This cosy pub is a great spot to enjoy a pint in a historic inn setting. Next comes Bugle, a former china-clay village. Bugle’s stop brings you to the Bugle Inn, a former coaching inn (still with rooms) that hums with activity on weekends. Its sign proudly notes the village name, and inside you’ll find hearty food and local ales. Both Kings Arms and Bugle Inn serve as relaxing mid-route stops among the moors and woods.

• Roche (Clay Country). The next station is Roche, another mining village. Here the trail pub is the Victoria Inn and Lodge, a sizeable coaching inn dating from 1642. It offers pub meals (fish & chips, roasts, etc.) and even has guest rooms and free Wi-Fi. The Victoria’s long bar and snug corners make it a pleasant break – and it’s only an 8-minute stroll from Roche station. (In passing, note that St Columb Road station lies between Roche and Quintrell Downs; historically there were pubs serving St Columb Road, though one or two have closed. The trail’s active focus today lies with the other villages.)

• Quintrell Downs (Near Newquay). Only one stop away from Newquay, the village of Quintrell Downs has two trail pubs. First is The Quintrell Inn, a friendly family-run tavern right by the platform. It has a large beer garden and classic rustic interior – just the sort of cosy pub locals frequent. The second is The Two Clomes, a much larger and livelier pub a few minutes’ walk off the station. Its name comes from two old bread ovens (“clomes”) flanking the fireplace. Inside, the Two Clomes feels bustling and modern, with several real ales on tap. Between the two, Quintrell Downs offers a real community vibe – the kind of place where rail-travellers meet surfers and farmers under one roof.

• Newquay (Surfing Capital). Finally, arriving at Newquay station drops you in the heart of Cornwall’s surf resort. From here several pubs on the trail are within a short walk. Across the street is The Great Western Hotel, featuring the Steam Bar downstairs. This waterside pub is noted for its “warm and welcoming atmosphere” and even occasional live music. A few minutes’ walk further east (on Cliff Road) is the Griffin Inn, a traditional surfer’s pub with good food and “fine ales” on offer. Lastly, a little north of the station is The Red Lion, a historic inn perched above Towan Beach. Its outdoor terrace commands “spectacular views of Towan Beach”, making it a perfect spot at sunset. Inside, the Red Lion serves Cornish real ale and hearty pub fare. In fact, it’s something of a Newquay institution – according to one guide, The Red Lion even maintains a small microbrewery on-site and often pours local favourites like Sharp’s Doom Bar.

Each pub along the Atlantic Coast Line has its own character. Some are centuries old (the Victoria Inn, the Ship Inn), others were previously railway or coaching pubs. All generally pride themselves on real cask ales and hearty Cornish cooking – think fish & chips, pasties, burgers and Sunday roasts. In warm weather many have beer gardens or sea-view terraces. Together, they form a diverse set of stops: from the rural charm of Par and Roche to the coastal buzz of Newquay, every station on the line opens into a proper Cornish pub scene.

Food and Ales on the Trail

You won’t go hungry on this trail. Every pub in the Atlantic Coast line trail serves food – classic pub menus with regional touches. Start with Cornish comfort dishes: fish caught nearby, locally made pies, and perhaps a twist on the famous Cornish pasty. Many pubs also highlight seafood specials from the day. The Sunday roast (with locally sourced beef or a nut roast) is a highlight if you’re there at the weekend. Throughout, the focus is on quality ingredients – customers often note large portions and honest cooking in these pubs. Most places also cater well to different diets, offering a vegetarian or vegan option alongside the meaty classics.

The beer is equally local and well-curated. Cornwall has a proud brewing tradition (St Austell, Sharp’s and smaller craft brewers), and that shows in the taps. Real ales from St Austell Brewery (Tribute, Proper Job, etc.) and Sharp’s Doom Bar turn up frequently, alongside seasonal guest ales from Cornwall and beyond. For example, The Red Lion frequently pours Sharp’s Doom Bar and its own “house” beers from the microbrewery. The Great Western’s Steam Bar similarly keeps Cornish ales on tap, and the Kings Arms and Bugle Inn each offer rotating locals. In short, you can treat yourself to a broad sample of Cornish real ale — and even the odd Cornish cyder — as you work your way up the line. Bartenders are typically happy to advise: ask for the pub’s recommendation, and you might end up with a new favourite brew.

Aside from libations, remember that these pubs are family-friendly too. Mums and dads often bring children for lunch, and all pubs welcome well-behaved dogs. The friendly, relaxed atmosphere means newcomers fit right in, chatting with locals as easily as regulars. In fact, the Rail Ale Trail ethos encourages a community vibe – pubgoers might swap travel tips or local lore over a pint. After all, the scheme was conceived to get visitors mingling in country pubs, and it’s paid off: one landlord remarked that rail-goers are customers who “wouldn’t have come otherwise”.

Planning Your Adventure

To enjoy the Atlantic Coast Line Rail Ale Trail smoothly, a bit of planning helps. First, trains: check the timetable on GWR (Great Western Railway) or on the Great Scenic Railways site. There is usually one train every couple of hours, with a few extra in summer. Remember the line is single-track, so services can be infrequent outside peak times. The Atlantic Coast Line is part of the Devon and Cornwall Day Ranger, an unlimited-all-day train ticket covering Cornwall’s branch lines off-peak. If you plan to hop trains and hit many stations, the Cornwall Day Ranger (£17 or so) is a great value. (Groups travelling together qualify for a GroupSave rail discount on standard tickets in this region.) You can buy tickets at major stations or on the train conductor if boarding at a small stop.

Bring a printed stamp sheet or booklet for the trail (available from the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership or online). At each pub, show your valid same-day train ticket to the bar staff and get it stamped. Once you have 10 stamps, mail the sheet in to claim the free T-shirt. Do pace yourself: the Great Scenic Railways guide explicitly advises to “take it easy” and not try to visit every pub in one day. Spread the trail out – it can be a long afternoon or a relaxed weekend project – and definitely drink responsibly. (Trains do run throughout the day, but double-check the last train so you don’t miss it while enjoying an extra pint.)

Logistics aside, note that each station has at least one pub within a few minutes’ walk, and stations like Par, Luxulyan and Newquay are on the main road network if you do have a car for part of the trip. From Newquay station, for example, Great Western Beach is literally “a stone’s throw away”, so you could visit a pub and then cool off in the surf. If you have time before the trail, consider visiting nearby attractions: for instance, the world-famous Eden Project is only a 20-minute bus ride from Par station. Many travellers take Eden in the morning and then board the train for their pub adventure. Newquay itself offers 11 golden beaches and even hosts summer events like the Boardmasters music-and-surf festival, so the trail can easily become part of a larger Cornish holiday.

Finally, don’t forget the basics: wear comfortable shoes (there is some walking to pubs), and bring an umbrella (Cornwall weather can change fast). The station toilets are minimal, so it’s wise to use facilities at a pub or major station. Take a water bottle or snack on the train – though every pub serves food, the spacing between pubs may leave a gap, especially around Luxulyan and Roche. And of course, charge your camera or phone – those viaducts and beaches make great photos, as does your line-up of half-empty pint glasses!

Final Thoughts

The Atlantic Coast Line Rail Ale Trail delivers a genuine Cornish experience – the kind where rail travel and pub culture intertwine seamlessly. Over the course of a single journey from Par to Newquay, you can go from a quaint harbour village to a surfer’s paradise, sampling local life at every stop. The pubs themselves are unpretentious and friendly: no flash décor or arcade machines, just plain wood beams, hearty fare and conversation. Perhaps the best part is how rooted they are in the community – where “worlds” of tourism and local life meet. It’s an affordable day out too: train tickets on this branch line are cheap compared to city fares, and pub prices, while covering fresh ingredients and good ale, remain fair.

If you appreciate a good pint and charming scenery, the Atlantic Coast Line Rail Ale Trail is hard to beat. Whether you’re a real ale aficionado or just looking for a unique day trip, you’ll find plenty to love. Many visitors say the real highlight is mixing with the locals: hearing their stories in a 17th-century inn, or watching surfers walk by with boards after a pint on the terrace. It’s that slice of Cornish life – salt of the earth, beautifully rugged – that makes the trail special. Just remember to savour it at a leisurely pace. There is no trophy for speed on this ale trail, but the memories of local beers and coastal views will last long after the last stamp is collected.