Three Counties Rail Ale Trail
The Three Counties Rail Ale Trail links Cheshire, Derbyshire and Greater Manchester using the railway through Disley, New Mills, Marple, Romiley and Bredbury. The route brings together 11 pubs, micropubs, bars and brewery taps, with a mix of cask and craft beer along the way. Torrside Brewery Tap is the one stop that needs extra planning, as its public tap weekends are limited rather than weekly.
Choose a stop
5 rail areas • 11 venues • Cheshire → Derbyshire → Greater Manchester
Disley — Malt Disley
New Mills — Torrside Brewery Tap • Torr Vale Tap • Beer Shed
Marple — Samuel Oldknow • Bevi • Dig Inn • Traders
Romiley — Hop Haus • The Crafty Vendor
Bredbury — The Steel Works
Opening times, beer availability and train services can change. Torrside Brewery Tap only opens to the public on selected tap weekends, so check before travelling.
1. Malt Disley
Website | Facebook | Instagram | CAMRA
Malt Disley opened in 2017 in a converted shop on Market Street. It is larger than many micropubs, with seating on the main level and an additional downstairs room. The bar usually carries four changing cask ales, often including local breweries and a dark beer, alongside a wider keg and bottled range. It is close to Disley station and makes an easy starting point for the route before heading east towards New Mills.
Address: 22 Market Street, Disley, SK12 2AA
Opening: Mon 15:00–21:00; Tue–Thu 15:00–23:00; Fri–Sun 14:00–23:00
Beer: Four changing cask ales plus keg, cider and bottled beer.
2A. Torrside Brewery Tap, New Mills
Website | Facebook | Instagram | CAMRA
Torrside Brewing was founded in 2015 and brews beside New Mills Marina under the familiar “Hops, Smoke, Monsters” banner. The tap opens for selected brewery weekends rather than as a normal weekly bar, usually during the warmer months, so this stop needs checking before setting out. When open, the brewery offers a broad choice of its own beers, including pale ales, smoked beers and stronger specials, with seating inside the working brewery and around the marina.
Address: The Wharf Warehouse, New Mills Marina, New Mills, SK22 3JJ
Opening: Selected brewery tap weekends only – check Torrside’s current calendar before travelling.
Beer: Changing Torrside cask and keg beers brewed on site.
2B. Torr Vale Tap, New Mills
Torr Vale Tap sits within the historic Torr Vale Mill beside the River Goyt. The Grade II* listed mill dates from the late 18th century, and the bar makes the most of the dramatic setting with terraces overlooking the gorge and river. Inside, the space is bright and modern while still surrounded by the old mill structure. The drinks range has a strong local focus, including beers from nearby breweries, and the scenery makes this one of the most distinctive stops on the trail.
Address: Torr Vale Mill, Torr Vale Road, New Mills, SK22 3HS
Opening: Mon–Tue closed; Wed 10:00–17:00; Thu–Sat 10:00–22:00; Sun 10:00–20:00
Beer: Local and regional draught beer, including beers from the surrounding area.
2C. Beer Shed, New Mills
Beer Shed opened in 2016 in a narrow former shop on Market Street and is now run by Torrside Brewing. The bar is spread over two levels, with a compact main drinking area and further seating downstairs. Four changing cask ales are normally available alongside a larger keg range, with Torrside beers regularly represented. It is only a few minutes from New Mills Central station and fits neatly after Torr Vale Tap before continuing towards Marple.
Address: 47B Market Street, New Mills, SK22 4AA
Opening: Mon–Tue closed; Wed–Thu 16:00–22:30; Fri–Sat 14:00–22:30; Sun 14:00–21:30
Beer: Four changing cask ales plus a wider keg range.
3A. The Samuel Oldknow, Marple
The Samuel Oldknow opened in 2016 in a converted shop and takes its name from the local industrialist who played a major part in Marple’s development. The bar is arranged over two levels and has a relaxed, traditional look, with outdoor seating at the front. Six changing cask ales are normally available alongside keg beer and real cider, making it one of the strongest cask stops on the route. Marple station is around a 12–15 minute walk away.
Address: 22 Market Street, Marple, SK6 7AD
Opening: Mon–Thu 13:00–23:00; Fri–Sun 12:00–23:00
Beer: Six changing cask ales plus keg beer and real cider.
3B. Bevi, Marple
Bevi opened in 2020 in a former shop beside The Samuel Oldknow. Inside, the bar has a modern look with seating in front of the counter and a raised area towards the rear, while tables outside add more space in good weather. It now combines its beer offer with an Italian food menu. The bar normally carries one regular and two changing cask ales alongside keg choices, so it remains an easy second Marple stop.
Address: 24 Market Street, Marple, SK6 7AD
Opening: Mon 14:00–22:00; Tue–Thu 14:00–23:00; Fri–Sat 14:00–23:30; Sun 12:00–19:00
Beer: One regular and two changing cask ales plus keg beer.
3C. Dig Inn, Marple
Dig Inn combines a bar, café, gift shop and record shop under one roof, with the “Hops, Crops and Records” idea running throughout. The front room is bright and unusual, with records and plants sharing the space with the bar, while a small garden sits at the rear. The beer is keg rather than cask, with eight lines offering a changing range of styles. It is a short walk from Market Street and provides something different between Marple’s cask-focused stops.
Address: 72 Stockport Road, Marple, SK6 6AH
Opening: Mon–Thu 11:00–21:00; Fri–Sat 11:00–23:00; Sun 12:00–20:00
Beer: Eight changing keg lines; no cask ale.
3D. Traders, Marple
Traders opened in 2014 as Beer Traders and has since expanded across neighbouring shop units. Inside, the industrial-style bar is split into several areas, with covered seating outside at the front. Three changing cask ales sit alongside a larger keg range, with local and regional breweries regularly represented. It is close to Dig Inn and works well as the final Marple stop before walking back towards Marple or Rose Hill Marple station.
Address: 111–113 Stockport Road, Marple, SK6 6AF
Opening: Mon closed; Tue 16:00–22:00; Wed–Thu 16:00–23:00; Fri 16:00–23:30; Sat 14:00–23:30; Sun 14:00–22:00
Beer: Three changing cask ales plus a larger keg range.
4A. Hop Haus, Romiley
Hop Haus opened in 2017 and was previously known as Jake’s Ale House. The double-fronted former shop gives the main room plenty of light, with more seating towards the rear and outside at the front. Five changing cask ales are normally available, often from smaller local and regional breweries, alongside craft keg and cider. Romiley station is only a short walk away, making this one of the easiest stops on the whole route.
Address: 27 Compstall Road, Romiley, SK6 4BT
Opening: Mon–Wed 15:00–22:00; Thu 15:00–23:00; Fri 14:00–23:00; Sat 13:00–23:00; Sun 14:00–21:00
Beer: Five changing cask ales plus craft keg and cider.
4B. The Crafty Vendor, Romiley
The Crafty Vendor is a modern bar and bottle shop in Romiley’s precinct, specialising in craft beer alongside cocktails, wine, whisky and coffee. Inside, the bar has a bright contemporary look, with an old bank vault adding an unusual feature on the way towards the rear outdoor area. Eight craft keg lines are available rather than cask, and Romiley station is only a few minutes away. It works well alongside Hop Haus for a contrasting second stop in the village.
Address: 1 The Precinct, Romiley, SK6 4EA
Opening: Mon closed; Tue–Thu 12:00–22:00; Fri–Sat 12:00–00:00; Sun 12:00–22:00
Beer: Eight craft keg lines; no cask ale.
5. The Steel Works, Bredbury
The Steel Works opened in 2024 in a former pharmacy and takes its name from Bredbury Steelworks, which closed in 1984. The spacious micropub uses steelworks-themed details throughout, with a large rear beer garden providing plenty of outdoor seating. Up to four changing cask ales are normally available, largely from local breweries, alongside eight craft keg lines and cider. Bredbury station is only a few minutes away, making this an easy final stop before the train home.
Address: 242 Stockport Road West, Bredbury, SK6 2AN
Opening: Mon closed; Tue–Thu 15:00–22:00; Fri–Sat 12:00–23:00; Sun 12:00–20:00
Beer: Four changing cask ales plus eight craft keg lines and cider.
Getting back
Finishing at Bredbury: Bredbury station is only a few minutes from The Steel Works, with trains back towards Manchester and connections across the local network.
Finishing at Disley: Malt Disley is close to Disley station, with trains running back towards Manchester or east through the High Peak.
Check current train times before travelling, particularly in the evening.
Last updated: September 2026
