The Best Ale Trails in the South West

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South Western Railway July 16, 2025 7 min read

In this article, you'll learn the following:

2. Devon Ale Trail
Travelling with SWR on your ale trail

If you’re a real ale enthusiast hoping to discover the best breweries in the South West, we’ve rounded up some of the best ale trails in the UK to help you plan the ultimate beer lover’s day out. All the pubs listed in our guide are conveniently located on our network, making it easy to get around and enjoy a few drinks responsibly.

1. Salisbury to Exeter Ale Trail

New Inn Salisbury

If you’re looking for rail ale trails in the South West, the Salisbury to Exeter Rail Ale Trail is one of the best. The route has been designed for those travelling by train, so you can sit back, relax and enjoy a few beers along the way! This scenic train journey passes through Wiltshire, Somerset and Devon, and you can stop off at various pubs along the way to sample the best local ales. Discover the top spots to try below.

The Haunch of Venison, Salisbury

The trail begins in Salisbury, so make your first stop at the Haunch of Venison – one of the oldest pubs in the city with a well-preserved interior. They serve local beers from Hop Back Brewery and tasty gastropub dishes, so you can grab a bite to eat before embarking on your journey.

Address: 1 Minster Street, Salisbury, SP1 1TB

How to get there: Walk 13 minutes from Salisbury to The Haunch of Venison.

The Boot Inn, Tisbury

The Boot Inn is one of two pubs on the trail in Tisbury and is situated in the heart of the village. Expect cosy interiors, a traditional pub feel and beers from breweries across the South West, including Sixpenny, Parkway and Palmers. Plus, if you’re feeling peckish, The Boot Inn serves classic pub grub.

Address: High Street, Tisbury, Salisbury SP3 6PS

How to get there: It’s a 10-minute walk from Tisbury to The Boot Inn.

The Ale Way, Axminster

There are three pubs on the trail in Axminster, but this recently reopened micropub inside the station is a must-visit. Plus, you won’t have to venture far to find it! Offering a rotating selection of craft beers, ciders and real ales from local, independent breweries, there’s plenty of choice to suit every taste.

Address: Station Yard, Axminster, EX13 5PF
How to get there: The Ale Way is inside Axminster train station.

New Fountain Inn, Whimple

This small family-run free house in East Devon has everything you’d expect from a country pub – cosy interiors, a warm welcome and delicious food and drink. They serve beers from across the South West, including Bristol Beer Factory and Hanlons Brewery.

Address: Church Road, Whimple, EX5 2TA

How to get there: Walk 9 minutes from Whimple to the pub.

Exeter Brewery Taproom, Exeter

You won’t find a fresher beer on this ale trail than at Exeter Brewery Taproom, as the beers are brewed on site! Their selection includes craft ales, lagers and ciders. If you’re hungry again by the time you arrive, try their signature pies, served with mash, minted peas and gravy.

Please note: the taproom is only open on Thursday and Friday evenings. If you’re visiting on another day, check out their pub in the city centre – The Hour Glass Inn.

Address: Unit 1, Cowley Bridge Road, St David's, Exeter EX4 4NX

How to get there: Walk 5 minutes from Exeter St Davids to the taproom.

Exeter riverside

2. Devon Ale Trail

Looking for the best Devon beer trail by train? Follow the Devon leg of the Salisbury to Exeter Rail Ale Trail, starting in Axminster and ending in Exeter. These are some of the best pubs along the way.

The Castle Inn, Axminster

This small, traditional pub in Axminster serves St Austell Brewery ales and ciders, alongside a changing selection of regional beers and home-cooked food. Take a seat in the bar area or head outside to the courtyard on a sunny day.

Address: Castle Hill, Axminster EX13 5NN

How to get there: It’s an 11-minute walk from Axminster to The Castle Inn.

The Vine Inn, Honiton

This small, family-run pub is a true hidden gem, located down a narrow street in the town centre. They serve real ales from Otter Brewery in Honiton, so don’t miss the chance to try these award-winning, local beers. And make sure to enjoy the beer garden on a summer’s day!

Address: Vine Passage, Honiton, EX14 1NN

How to get there: Walk 2 minutes from Honiton to the pub.

The Nog Inn, Feniton

This small, friendly village pub is conveniently located across the road from the station, serving a rotating selection of ales. It’s the ideal spot to hop off the train and enjoy a quick pint before continuing your journey.

Address: Ottery Road, Feniton, EX14 3BT

How to get there: The Nog Inn is opposite Feniton station.

The Cranberry Farm, Cranbrook

This popular venue in Cranbrook serves Badger Brewery beers and classic pub grub. The interior has a traditional country pub feel, with plenty of seating. In summer, sit outside on the terrace to soak up the sun.

Address: Badger Way, Cranbrook, EX5 7FN

How to get there: It’s a 20-minute walk from Cranbrook to The Cranberry Farm.

Heart of Oak, Pinhoe

This thatched-roof pub has a modern interior and a wide range of beers on tap. Expect to find popular breweries from across the South West, including St Austell and Otter, and an all-day food menu.

Address: 34 Main Road, Pinhoe, Exeter, EX4 8HS

How to get there: Walk 4 minutes from Pinhoe to the pub.

The Mill on the Exe, Exeter

This riverside pub is one of Exeter’s most popular spots for good reason! Owned by Cornwall’s St Austell Brewery, you’ll find plenty of their beers alongside rotating guest ales from across the region. Head here on a sunny day to enjoy the lively atmosphere on the terrace.

Address: Bonhay Road, Exeter, EX4 3AB

How to get there: The pub is a 10-minute walk from Exeter Central.

3. Dorset Ale Trails

Dorset is home to some of the best breweries in the UK, making it a popular location for rail ale trails. Not to mention the beautiful Dorset landscapes you’ll pass by, from dramatic coastlines to rolling hills. While there’s no ‘official’ rail ale trail, like the Salisbury to Exeter route, we recommend checking out the following resources, which include maps of the best pubs and breweries in the area:

East Dorset CAMRA Real Ale Trails – with over 370 pubs listed and advice on how to get around by bus or train, this is a great way to plan your day out.

Palmer’s Pub Guide – this brewery has pubs across Dorset and the South West, and you can download their guide to the top spots for inspiration. They’re also the go-to place for a Dorset brewery tour!

Plus, it’s easy to plan a rail ale trail through Dorset with SWR, as we have several stations across the county, including Bournemouth, Poole, Wareham, Weymouth, Dorchester South, Sherborne and Gillingham.

Tips for planning your rail ale trail

Here are our top tips to ensure a seamless trip:

Decide which pubs you want to visit and mark them on a map. That way, you’ll know where you’re getting off the train and how long it takes to reach each location from the station.

Don’t try to visit too many pubs in one day. It might be better to break down your route into smaller sections, so you don’t feel rushed.

Drink responsibly. A rail ale trail should be fun, so remember to limit your alcohol intake throughout the day.

Travelling with SWR on your ale trail

Once you’ve planned your ale trail route, it’s time to book your train tickets. If you’re travelling with friends, our GroupSave tickets are an excellent choice, while our Semi-Flex Return and Sunday Out tickets give you flexibility if plans change on the day.

Don’t forget to check out SWR Rewards to get exclusive food and drink offers at venues across the South West. Or, if you want to make a weekend of it, you can save on your trip with discounted hotels.

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