Hadrian’s Wall Ale Trail
The Hadrian’s Wall Ale Trail follows the railway west from Blaydon towards Hexham, linking seven pubs across five railway stops. The route takes in Blaydon, Wylam, Prudhoe, Corbridge and Hexham, mixing micropubs, a brewery taproom, traditional pubs and plenty of local cask ale. On a Saturday, check Firebrick’s Facebook before travelling because the Blaydon taproom opening can vary from the brewery shop hours.
Choose a stop
5 rail stops • 7 pubs • Blaydon → Hexham
Blaydon — Firebrick Taproom • Half Irish Micropub
Wylam — Boathouse
Prudhoe — West Road Tavern
Corbridge — Pele Corbridge • Angel of Corbridge
Hexham — Platform Bar
Opening times, beer availability and train services can change, so please check before travelling. Firebrick advises checking its social media for weekend opening details.
1A. Firebrick Taproom, Blaydon
Firebrick Taproom sits at the brewery in Blaydon Business Centre, around a ten-minute walk from the station. The taproom is set beside the working brewery, with a small shop at the front and a warm seating area inside. Four changing Firebrick cask ales are normally available alongside the brewery’s keg range and cans. It is a friendly, relaxed place and makes a natural first stop on the trail. The brewery shop has its own daytime opening hours, while taproom opening can vary, so check Firebrick’s Facebook before travelling rather than assuming the shop hours are the taproom hours.
Address: Blaydon Business Centre, Blaydon, NE21 5TW
Opening: Shop — Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00; Sat 10:00–16:00; Sun closed. Taproom — check Firebrick Facebook for current opening dates and times before travelling.
Beer: Four changing Firebrick cask ales.
Next: Half Irish Micropub, Blaydon
1B. Half Irish Micropub, Blaydon
Half Irish Micropub is the former Yard Micropub, tucked below street level on Shibdon Road and only a few minutes from Blaydon station. The pub is spread across a couple of basement rooms, with plenty of character and a small beer garden to the rear. It keeps the unusual, cosy layout that made The Yard such a memorable stop on the original trail. The cask choice currently includes one regular ale and two changing beers, with local breweries well represented. Its position close to the station makes it an easy second Blaydon call before catching the train west to Wylam.
Address: 20 Shibdon Road, Blaydon, NE21 5AE
Opening: Mon–Thu 14:30–21:00; Fri–Sat 12:00–22:00; Sun 12:00–20:00
Beer: One regular and two changing cask ales.
Next stop: Wylam – Boathouse
2. Boathouse, Wylam
The Boathouse could hardly be better placed for a rail ale trail, sitting just across from Wylam station. It is a traditional two-room pub with a real fire, plenty of outdoor space and a strong reputation for cask ale. The bar carries a particularly large range, with CAMRA currently listing twelve changing cask ales, sourced both locally and from further afield. It has collected plenty of CAMRA awards over the years and is a popular stop for people travelling the line. With the station only a few steps away, there is very little chance of missing the next train.
Address: Station Road, Wylam, NE41 8HR
Opening: Mon–Fri 11:00–23:00; Sat 11:00–00:00; Sun 12:00–22:30
Beer: Twelve changing cask ales.
Next stop: Prudhoe – West Road Tavern
3. West Road Tavern, Prudhoe
West Road Tavern is the new Prudhoe stop on the trail, replacing Wor Local, which closed in 2025. The pub is around half a mile from Prudhoe station and occupies the town’s former Conservative Club. Inside there is a spacious ground-floor bar and lounge, with another larger room upstairs. Two changing cask ales are normally available, often featuring nearby Firebrick and First & Last. The walk from the station is uphill, just as it was for the old Prudhoe stop, but this gives the trail a current cask option in the town before carrying on towards Corbridge.
Address: 45 West Road, Prudhoe, NE42 6RH
Opening: Mon–Thu & Sun 12:00–23:00; Fri–Sat 12:00–00:00
Beer: Two changing cask ales.
Next stop: Corbridge – Pele Corbridge
4A. Pele Corbridge, Corbridge
Pele Corbridge is one of the most unusual stops on the trail, set inside the old fortified Pele Tower beside St Andrew’s Church. The building dates from around 1300 and the pub uses three levels, with stone stairs leading from the small ground-floor bar to the rooms above and a balcony in the roof space. The old stonework gives the place loads of character, while a small outdoor area sits beside the tower. Two cask ales are served, often from local First & Last Brewery. It is around a twelve-minute walk from Corbridge station.
Address: Market Place, Corbridge, NE45 5AW
Opening: Mon–Wed closed; Thu–Sat 11:00–23:00; Sun 11:00–20:00
Beer: Two regular cask ales.
Next: Angel of Corbridge
4B. Angel of Corbridge, Corbridge
Website | Facebook | Instagram | CAMRA
The Angel of Corbridge is a long-established coaching inn in the centre of the village, only a short walk from The Pele. It is a larger stop than the micropub, with several comfortable areas inside and plenty of seating outside. The pub has been welcoming travellers for generations and still works well as both a drinking and eating stop. The bar keeps a strong local feel, with CAMRA currently listing four changing cask ales. From here it is a downhill walk back towards Corbridge station, ready for the final short train journey to Hexham and the Platform Bar.
Address: Main Street, Corbridge, NE45 5LA
Opening: Mon–Thu & Sun 11:00–22:00; Fri–Sat 11:00–23:00
Beer: Four changing cask ales.
Next stop: Hexham – Platform Bar
5. Platform Bar, Hexham
Platform Bar is built into the former waiting room on Platform 2 at Hexham station, so there could hardly be a better place to finish a rail ale trail. The single room has seating around the walls, free-standing tables and plenty of railway touches, with a few extra seats out on the platform. The bar focuses on local beer and CAMRA currently lists three changing cask ales. It also serves hot drinks and light snacks during the day. Once the final pint is finished, you are already at the station for the train back east towards Newcastle.
Address: Platform 2, Hexham Railway Station, Station Road, Hexham, NE46 1EZ
Opening: Mon–Wed 09:00–19:00; Thu–Sat 09:00–21:00; Sun closed
Beer: Three changing cask ales.
Getting back
Finishing at Hexham: Platform Bar is inside Hexham station on Platform 2. Northern’s N4 route runs back east through Corbridge, Prudhoe, Wylam and Blaydon towards Newcastle, so the final stop leaves you in the right place for the journey home.
Finishing at Blaydon: If you choose to do the trail in reverse, Blaydon station is only a few minutes from Half Irish Micropub and around a ten-minute walk from Firebrick. Trains continue east towards Newcastle or back west along the line. Check Firebrick’s Facebook before travelling, as the taproom hours can differ from the brewery shop hours.
Last updated: September 2026
