The Sheffield to Retford Rail Ale Trail follows the railway east from Sheffield in South Yorkshire through Woodhouse, Kiveton Bridge, Shireoaks and Worksop before finishing in Retford, Nottinghamshire. It links ten pubs and beer stops across six railway stops, including station pubs, micropubs, a brewery taproom and traditional pubs, making it an easy pub trail to explore by train. Saturday is the easiest day to complete the full route.
At a glance
6 railway stops • 10 pubs • Sheffield → Retford
Best day: Saturday
Sheffield • Woodhouse • Kiveton Bridge • Shireoaks • Worksop • Retford
Rail line
The trail uses Northern services running east from Sheffield towards Worksop and Retford, calling at Woodhouse, Kiveton Bridge and Shireoaks along the way. The pubs have been chosen to keep each stop within a manageable walk of the railway.
Typical train time between stops:
Sheffield → Woodhouse: about 11 mins
Woodhouse → Kiveton Bridge: about 6 mins
Kiveton Bridge → Shireoaks: about 8 mins
Shireoaks → Worksop: about 4 mins
Worksop → Retford: about 10 mins
Suggested ways to explore the trail
Sheffield to Shireoaks
Sheffield → Woodhouse → Kiveton Bridge → Shireoaks
4 stops • 4 pubs
Worksop & Retford
Worksop → Retford
2 stops • 6 pubs
Retford only
4 pubs around the town centre
Compact option if you want a shorter trip
Full trail
Sheffield → Woodhouse → Kiveton Bridge → Shireoaks → Worksop → Retford
6 stops • 10 pubs • best on Saturday
Before you travel
Check opening hours and Northern’s current train timetables before setting off. Ticking Clock Brewery & Taproom has a more limited weekly opening pattern, while several Retford pubs open later on some weekdays, so the full route works best when planned around those stops.
Opening times, beer availability and train services can change. Last checked: 2 November 2026.