Manchester Real Ale Trails and Pub Crawls - CAMRA Approved Rail, Tram and Walking Routes

Manchester and its surrounds boast several excellent Real Ale Trails endorsed by organisations like CAMRA and local tourism boards. These trails map out routes of traditional pubs, micro-pubs, and craft beer venues where cask-conditioned real ale is the star. Below we outline a reputable Manchester-area ale trail and notable variations. Each trail is accessible by public transport (train or tram) or on foot, and all venues listed are confirmed open as of the latest information in 2025.

1. Transpennine Real Ale Trail (Stalybridge to Batley)

One of the most famous ale trails in the UK, the Transpennine Real Ale Trail was originally a marketing initiative to encourage rail travellers to hop off at stations and visit nearby pubs. Made legendary by a 2009 BBC feature, it connects Greater Manchester with Yorkshire via historic railway pubs. The trail runs along the Manchester–Huddersfield–Leeds line and traditionally includes 7 station-adjacent pubs from Stalybridge (in Greater Manchester) to Batley (West Yorkshire). (Some sources include an eighth stop at Greenfield’s Railway Inn in Oldham as well.)

• Stalybridge Buffet Bar – Stalybridge, Greater Manchester. A Victorian station buffet bar dating to 1885, filled with railway memorabilia and serving ~10 cask ales. Status: Open and thriving in Stalybridge Station.

• The Riverhead Brewery Tap – Marsden, West Yorkshire. Ossett Brewery’s taproom by Marsden Station, with five house ales and guest beers on handpump. Status: Open (a cornerstone of the trail).

• The Commercial – Slaithwaite (“Slawit”), West Yorkshire. Traditional pub a few minutes’ walk from Slaithwaite Station, offering 8 cask ales (often featuring local Yorkshire breweries) and famous for its pork pies. Status: Open. (A neighbouring craft bar, Hideaway Craft House, adds keg options in “Slawit”.)

• The King’s Head – Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. One of two “ale pub bookends” inside Huddersfield Station. A beautiful historic pub with 11 cask lines featuring Yorkshire and Manchester brews. Status: Open (the station’s east side pub).

• The Navigation Tavern – Mirfield, West Yorkshire. A canal side inn by Mirfield Station known for its well-kept ales. Regularly rotates Yorkshire brews (Magic Rock, Mallinsons, etc.) on cask. Status: Open.

• The West Riding Refreshment Rooms – Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. Housed in Dewsbury’s Grade II–listed station waiting rooms, this multi-award-winning pub celebrated 30 years in 2024. Serves ~9 cask ales plus cider, and is always bustling with ale trail travellers. Status: Open (a stalwart of the trail).

• Cellar Bar – Batley, West Yorkshire. A cozy single-room bar next to Batley Station – the eastern terminus of the trail. Offers 4 rotating real ales and often hosts live music. Status: Open (popular as the “last stop” on the trail).

All these pubs are confirmed open as of late 2025. In fact, the seven venues above recently collaborated to revitalise this trail with a new website and joint promotion. The trail can be done in either direction, though many start from the Manchester side (Stalybridge). Plan for one train per hour and enjoy a pint at each stop – the pace is leisurely and scenic through Pennine towns.

(Tip: The Railway Inn at Greenfield, just over the Greater Manchester border, is an optional stop between Stalybridge and Marsden for keen crawlers.) All listed pubs specialise in real ale, and several are in historic railway buildings, adding to the charm.

2. Manchester Metrolink Ale Trail (Greater Manchester by Tram)

For an ale adventure within Greater Manchester, the Metrolink Ale Trail is a popular concept. Manchester’s tram network offers a rapid, frequent way to reach many great pubs across the city and suburbs. Local CAMRA branches have even published guides for pub-hopping along each tram line. One suggested route is to travel the Altrincham line from the city centre outward, stopping at pubs near selected tram stops:

• Deansgate-Castlefield – Start at The Deansgate, a large multi-room pub tucked under the tram viaduct (near Deansgate–Castlefield stop). It typically offers 4 cask ales (e.g. Thwaites, Moorhouse’s) and a famous rooftop terrace. Status: Open (recently refurbished and reopened).

• Altrincham – This terminus town is loaded with craft bars and pubs around the interchange. For instance, The Old Packet House (10-min walk from Altrincham or one stop before at Navigation Road) is a historic canal-side inn serving real ales in a traditional setting. In central Altrincham, you’ll also find taprooms like Mort Subite (a Belgian beer bar) and Costello’s (Dunham Massey Brewery tap), plus a lively market hall with local beer vendors. Status: All key venues open (Altrincham’s beer scene is booming).

• Brooklands/Sale – By Brooklands stop, The Brook is “an altogether classy little boozer” known for its top selection of local ales and friendly beer garden. One stop on in Sale, you have choices like The Steamhouse (craft beer bar with foreign and local brews right by Sale station). Status: Open (both The Brook and Steamhouse are operating in 2025).

• Stretford – A short walk from Stretford tram stop is the hidden gem Stretford Sip Club, an upstairs micropub styled like a cozy front room. It offers “a fantastic range of local ales and an excellent selection of ciders,” earning it a reputation as one of the city’s best secret pubs. Status: Open (award-winning community bar).

• Bury – The Bury tram line (connecting at Victoria) brings you to Bury in north Greater Manchester, home to the famed real ale pub The Trackside on the East Lancs Railway platform. The Trackside serves a rotating line-up of cask ales (and is actually part of another trail, below). Status: Open (a must-visit for beer enthusiasts in Bury).

Many more combinations are possible – nearly every tram line has great pubs along the route. For example, the Chorlton area (on the Airport line) has a cluster of craft beer bars and traditional pubs within a short walk of Chorlton tram stop, and the Northern Quarter in the city centre can be explored via Shudehill or Market Street stops. The key advantage is that the Metrolink lets you design your own ale trail with ease: its extensive network “is ideal for visiting the many pubs & bars along its route” Always check tram times (trams run late, so evening crawls are convenient) and pub opening hours. As of 2025, all the mentioned pubs are open and thriving.

3. Manchester City Centre Heritage Ale Trail (Walking Tour)

If you prefer to explore on foot, the central Manchester CAMRA branch has curated a Heritage Pub Trail that doubles as a real ale crawl. This walking tour (about 2.5 miles total) strings together some of Manchester’s most historic pubs – all serving quality cask ale in characterful surroundings. Starting around Deansgate and ending near Albert Square/Exchange Square, it’s a great way to see the city’s pub heritage up close:

• Britons Protection – Classic 19th-century pub (on Great Bridgewater St), famed for its tiled interior and whiskey selection. Offers well-kept local cask ales. (CAMRA Heritage Pub)

• Peveril of the Peak – An icon of Manchester, this free-standing green-tiled pub (circa 1900) has a snug, unaltered interior. Serves several cask ales.

• The Salisbury – Victorian pub under Oxford Road station, popular with the rock/alternative crowd, known for its ornate glasswork and real ales.

• The Lass O’Gowrie – A historic pub on Charles Street (won national Pub of the Year 2012). Recently refurbished, it still offers real ale and a friendly atmosphere.

• Sir Ralph Abercromby – Georgian-era pub tucked off Bootle Street, saved from redevelopment by locals. A “true Mancunian treasure”, beloved for its traditional feel. Cask ales always on tap.

• The Rising Sun – A Victorian pub on Queen Street known for its beautiful mosaic exterior and cosy lounges. Serves rotating cask ales.

• Mr. Thomas’s Chop House – An ornate tiled Edwardian chop-house pub (on Cross Street) dating to 1867, serving real ale and classic food.

• (Optional add-on) Marble Arch – A bit further out (Rochdale Road), but worth it. This 1888-built pub – the Marble Brewery’s flagship – features an inclined floor and stunning tiling. It offers Marble’s own cask ales and guests, and is often regarded as Manchester’s best pub for beer aficionados.

All these city-centre pubs are open as of 2025. In fact, several have won recent CAMRA awards (e.g. The City Arms nearby was Pub of the Year 2024) and have active support ensuring they stay open. This trail showcases not just great beer but also Manchester’s pub architecture and history – from snug old coaching inns to ornate Victorian gin palaces. Total walking is manageable, and you can easily break it up with meals or snacks. Rejoining public transport is simple at the end (Exchange Sq tram or nearby stations).

4. Other Notable Ale Trail Variations

• East Lancashire Railway “Rail Ale Trail” (Bury–Rawtenstall): This is a guided tour experience offered by the East Lancs Railway, usually on special dates. You ride a vintage steam/diesel train from Bury Bolton Street Station, hopping off at rural stations to visit classic country pubs. Along the 12-mile heritage line through the Irwell Valley, you might stop at pubs like the Trackside (Bury), The Railway (Ramsbottom), or Buffer Stops (Rawtenstall) to sample local ales. A hearty lunch and scenic countryside walks are included. This organised trail runs on select dates (with tickets/bookings via ELR) and emphasises responsible pacing. All featured pubs on these tours are open and welcoming – many are traditional inns that thrive on weekend visitors. It’s a unique way to enjoy real ale with a touch of railway nostalgia.

• Crewe–Manchester Line Ale Trail (Crewe to Handforth): Launched in late 2025, this is a new Community Rail ale trail developed by the Friends of Handforth Station and CAMRA partners. It spans nine stations from Handforth (south of Manchester) to Crewe, with 21 pubs near stations participating. You can obtain a “Rail Ale Trail” passport and collect stickers at each pub (after purchasing a real ale) to earn a branded baseball cap reward. Notable stops include The Railway pub in Handforth (across from the station), village pubs like The Ship Inn at Styal, historic inns in Wilmslow and Alderley Edge, and rustic taverns in Cheshire countryside villages like Chelford, Goostrey, and Sandbach. All participating pubs are verified open in 2025 (the trail was literally inaugurated with a ceremony at Handforth in Oct 2025). This trail encourages a leisurely approach (you’re not meant to do all 21 pubs in one go!) and highlights the rail line’s communities. It’s an ale trail that doubles as a scenic tour of Cheshire, easily reached by train from Manchester Piccadilly.